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Multidecadal variations in the modulation of Alaska wintertime air temperature by the Madden-Julian Oscillation
Citation
Oliver, ECJ, Multidecadal variations in the modulation of Alaska wintertime air temperature by the Madden-Julian Oscillation, Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 121, (1) pp. 1-11. ISSN 0177-798X (2015) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 Springer-Verlag Wien
DOI: doi:10.1007/s00704-014-1215-y
Abstract
The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), the dominant
mode of intraseasonal variability in the tropics, is
known to influence extratropical air temperature in the
Northern Hemisphere. In particular, it has been shown that
intraseasonal variations in wintertime Alaska surface air
temperature (SAT) is linked with variations in cross-shore
surface wind and that this mechanism is driven by a train of
Rossby waves originating in the tropics due to MJO forcing.
We show, using long station records of Alaska SAT and
an independent reconstruction of the MJO index over the
twentieth century, that the MJO–SAT connection in Alaska
has undergone significant multidecadal variability over the
last century. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation appears to
explain some of the observed multidecadal variability but
fails to capture a large proportion of it. We identify four
distinct periods between the years 1910 and 2000 that
exhibit either a weak, moderate or strong MJO–SAT connection.
The nature of our method ensures that the detected
multidecadal variability is due to changes in the teleconnection
mechanism and not due to changes in the strength
of the MJO index. Finally, we speculate on the mechanism
which may bring about such multidecadal variations in the
teleconnection mechanism.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | Madden-Julian Oscillation, Alaska, air temperature, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, teleconnection |
Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
Research Group: | Climate change science |
Research Field: | Climatology |
Objective Division: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
Objective Group: | Understanding climate change |
Objective Field: | Climate variability (excl. social impacts) |
UTAS Author: | Oliver, ECJ (Dr Eric Oliver) |
ID Code: | 93186 |
Year Published: | 2015 (online first 2014) |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 9 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2014-07-15 |
Last Modified: | 2017-10-30 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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