An MJO Index for the Eastern North Pacific

The Madden–Julian Oscillation modulates zonal winds and convection over the eastern North Pacific. These in turn affect hurricane activity over the eastern Pacific and Gulf of Mexico, as well as influencing rainfall over southwestern North America. Unfortunately, these signals are overshadowed in most existing MJO indices by the larger variability over the Indian Ocean and western Pacific. This study develops a new index focused on the MJO's variability over the eastern Pacific. The relationship between this new index and hurricane activity over the Atlantic and eastern North Pacific will be examined. Relationships with heat waves and atmospheric rivers may also be considered.