2B.6
Modeling the Madden-Julian oscillation and convectively coupled Kelvin waves
Matthew Wheeler, NCAR, Boulder, CO; and B. E. Mapes, G. N. Kiladis, and K. A. Harris
As presented in the papers of Harris et al. and Kiladis et al. (this conference), there are two distinct large-scale eastward propagating disturbances in the moist convection fields of the tropical troposphere. They are commonly known as the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), and the convectively-coupled Kelvin wave. In this paper, we explore aspects of their dynamics with the use of 2 models. The first model solves the dry primitive equations to simulate the 3-dimensional dynamical structure forced by large-scale atmospheric heatings that propagate to the east at their respective phase speeds of around 5 m/s and 15-20 m/s. This dry model well simulates the stratospheric waves radiated by the moving heat sources, as well as some aspects of the observed tropospheric structure. The second is a simple moist model of the troposphere with 3 levels, exploring the different dynamical mechanisms behind the different propagation speeds of the MJO and moist Kelvin wave.
Session 2B, Tropical Waves and Instabilities II (Parallel with Sessions 2A and 2C)
Tuesday, 23 May 2000, 1:15 PM-3:00 PM
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