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Abstract The relative importance of preconditioning moistening and global circumnavigating mode in the convective initiation of the October 2011 Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) event observed during the Dynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) field campaign is investigated using a series of convection‐permitting regional model simulations. It is demonstrated that the MJO convective initiation is largely controlled by the global circumnavigating mode at the intraseasonal scales. Rapid moistening closely related to this eastward propagating mode a few days prior to the MJO active phase is crucial to the initiation of deep convection and enhanced rainfall. This moistening process nevertheless cannot be accurately described by the “discharge‐recharge” hypothesis, which speculates the importance a gradual moisture buildup over an approximately 2‐week period leading to the arrival of the active MJO phase.
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The Atmospheric Boundary Layer and the Initiation of the MJO
Abstract The Indian Ocean is a frequent site for the initiation of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). The evolution of convection during MJO initiation is intimately linked to the subcloud atmospheric mixed layer (ML). Much of the air entering developing cumulus clouds passes through the cloud base; hence, the properties of the ML are critical in determining the nature of cloud development. The properties and depth of the ML are influenced by horizontal advection, precipitation-driven cold pools, and vertical motion. To address ML behavior during the initiation of the MJO, data from the 2011/12 Dynamics of the MJO Experiment (DYNAMO) are utilized. Observations from the research vesselRevelleare used to document the ML and its modification during the time leading up to the onset phase of the October MJO. The mixed layer depth increased from ∼500 to ∼700 m during the 1–12 October suppressed period, allowing a greater proportion of boundary layer thermals to reach the lifting condensation level and hence promote cloud growth. The ML heat budget defines an equilibrium mixed layer depth that accurately diagnoses the mixed layer depth over the DYNAMO convectively suppressed period, provided that horizontal advection is included. The advection at theRevelleis significantly influenced by low-level convective outflows from the southern ITCZ. The findings also demonstrate a connection between cirrus clouds and their remote impact on ML depth and convective development through a reduction in the ML radiative cooling rate. The emergent behavior of the equilibrium mixed layer has implications for simulating the MJO with models with parameterized cloud and turbulent-scale motions.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1853633
- PAR ID:
- 10469985
- Publisher / Repository:
- American Meteorological Society
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Climate
- Volume:
- 36
- Issue:
- 22
- ISSN:
- 0894-8755
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: p. 7893-7903
- Size(s):
- p. 7893-7903
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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