scholarly journals A Comparison of Southern Hemisphere Cyclone Track Climatology and Interannual Variability in Coarse-Gridded Reanalysis Datasets

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Paul Eichler ◽  
Jon Gottschalck
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
South American ◽  
Cyclone Track ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
East Indian ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Cyclone Tracks

Southern Hemisphere (SH) extratropical cyclones have received less study than their Northern Hemisphere (NH) counterparts. Generating SH cyclone tracks from global reanalysis datasets is problematic due to data reliability, especially prior to 1979. It is therefore prudent to compare the climatology and variability of SH cyclone tracks from different reanalysis datasets. We generate cyclone track frequency and intensity climatologies from three reanalysis datasets: The National Center for Environmental Prediction’s Reanalysis I and Reanalysis II datasets and the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts ERA-40 dataset. Our results show that ERA-40 produces more intense cyclones in the SH active cyclone region compared to NCEP reanalyses. More intense storms are also found in the SH active cyclone region in NCEP reanalyses data post-1979 reflecting the positive trend in the AAO in the past few decades. When evaluating interannual variability, our results show Rossby wave trains including the Pacific South American (PSA) and the East Indian Ocean pattern in response to anomalous heating linked to El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), respectively. Response to the AAO shows a robust annular structure for cyclone track frequency, but not intensity suggesting a weak relationship between cyclone frequency and cyclone intensity.

scholarly journals Analysis of the difference in depths and variation in slope steepness of the Sunda Trench, Indonesia, east Indian Ocean

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-41
Author(s):  
Polina Lemenkova
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Geometric Shape ◽  
Shelf Area ◽  
High Resolution Data ◽  
East Indian ◽  
Slope Steepness ◽  
Indonesian Archipelago ◽  
Geological Processes ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Difference

The paper discusses geomorphology of the Sunda Trench, an oceanic trench located in eastern Indian Ocean along the Sumatra and Java Islands of the Indonesian archipelago. In particular, it analysis the difference in depths and variation in slope steepness between the two segments of the trench: the southern Java transect (coordinates 108.8°E 10.10°S to 113.0°E 10.75°S) and the northern Sumatra transect (97.5°E 1.1°S to 101.0°E 5.5°S). The thematic maps and geomorphological modelling were plotted using Generic Mapping Tools (GMT). The materials include high-resolution data on topography, geology and geophysics: GEBCO 15 arc-minute resolution grid, EGM2008 2.5 minute Earth Gravitation Model of 2008, GlobSed global 5‐arc‐minute total sediment thickness and vector geological datasets. In addition to the GEBCO-based bathymetric data, geological, topographic and geophysical maps, the results include enlarged transects for the Java and Sumatra segments, their slope gradients and cross-section profiles, derived from the bathymetric GEBCO dataset. The geomorphology framework of the Sunda Trench is largely controlled by the subduction of the Australian plate underneath the Sunda microplate. The geological processes take place in basin of the Indian Ocean at different stages of its evolution and influence the nature of the submarine geomorphology and geometric shape of the trench. Sunda Trench is seismically active part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. A large number of the catastrophic earthquakes are recorded around the trench. The histograms shows variation in depths along the segments of the Sumatra and Java. The Java segment has a bell-shaped data distribution in contrast to the Sumatra with bimodal pattern. The Java segment has the most repetitive depths at -2,500 to -5,200 m. The Sumatra transect has two peaks: 1) a classic bell-shaped peak at depths -4,500 m to -5,500 m; 2) shelf area with a peak from 0 to -1,750 m. The data at middle depths (-1,750 to -4,500 m) have a frequency <300 samples. The most frequent bathymetry for the Sumatra segment corresponds to the -4,750 m to -5,000 m (2,151 samples). Comparing to the Sumatra segment, the Java segment is deeper. For the depths >-6,000 m, there are only 138 samples for the Sumatra while 547 samples for Java. Furthermore, Java segment has more symmetrical geometric shape while Sumatra segment is asymmetric, one-sided. The Sumatra segment has a steepness of 57.86° on its eastern side (facing Sumatra Island) and a contrasting 14.58° on the western part. The Java segment has a steepness of 64.34° on its northern side (facing Java Island) and 24.95° on the southern part (facing Indian Ocean). The paper contributes to the studies of the submarine geomorphology in Indonesia.

Intraseasonal-to-Interannual Variability of South Indian Ocean Sea Level and Thermocline: Remote versus Local Forcing

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 602-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurie L. Trenary ◽  
Weiqing Han
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Ekman Pumping ◽  
Remote Forcing ◽  
South Indian ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Thermocline Variability

Abstract The relative importance of local versus remote forcing on intraseasonal-to-interannual sea level and thermocline variability of the tropical south Indian Ocean (SIO) is systematically examined by performing a suite of controlled experiments using an ocean general circulation model and a linear ocean model. Particular emphasis is placed on the thermocline ridge of the Indian Ocean (TRIO; 5°–12°S, 50°–80°E). On interannual and seasonal time scales, sea level and thermocline variability within the TRIO region is primarily forced by winds over the Indian Ocean. Interannual variability is largely caused by westward propagating Rossby waves forced by Ekman pumping velocities east of the region. Seasonally, thermocline variability over the TRIO region is induced by a combination of local Ekman pumping and Rossby waves generated by winds from the east. Adjustment of the tropical SIO at both time scales generally follows linear theory and is captured by the first two baroclinic modes. Remote forcing from the Pacific via the oceanic bridge has significant influence on seasonal and interannual thermocline variability in the east basin of the SIO and weak impact on the TRIO region. On intraseasonal time scales, strong sea level and thermocline variability is found in the southeast tropical Indian Ocean, and it primarily arises from oceanic instabilities. In the TRIO region, intraseasonal sea level is relatively weak and results from Indian Ocean wind forcing. Forcing over the Pacific is the major cause for interannual variability of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) transport, whereas forcing over the Indian Ocean plays a larger role in determining seasonal and intraseasonal ITF variability.

scholarly journals The South Atlantic–South Indian Ocean Pattern: a Zonally Oriented Teleconnection along the Southern Hemisphere Westerly Jet in Austral Summer

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongda Lin
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Austral Summer ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
The South ◽  
South Indian Ocean ◽  
Westerly Jet ◽  
South Indian ◽  
Zonal Wavenumber

Extratropical teleconnections significantly affect the climate in subtropical and mid-latitude regions. Understanding the variability of atmospheric teleconnection in the Southern Hemisphere, however, is still limited in contrast with the well-documented counterpart in the Northern Hemisphere. This study investigates the interannual variability of mid-latitude circulation in the Southern Hemisphere in austral summer based on the ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset during 1980–2016. A stationary mid-latitude teleconnection is revealed along the strong Southern Hemisphere westerly jet over the South Atlantic and South Indian Ocean (SAIO). The zonally oriented SAIO pattern represents the first EOF mode of interannual variability of meridional winds at 200 hPa over the region, with a vertical barotropic structure and a zonal wavenumber of 4. It significantly modulates interannual climate variations in the subtropical Southern Hemisphere in austral summer, especially the opposite change in rainfall and surface air temperature between Northwest and Southeast Australia. The SAIO pattern can be efficiently triggered by divergences over mid-latitude South America and the southwest South Atlantic, near the entrance of the westerly jet, which is probably related to the zonal shift of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone. The triggered wave train is then trapped within the Southern Hemisphere westerly jet waveguide and propagates eastward until it diverts northeastward towards Australia at the jet exit, in addition to portion of which curving equatorward at approximately 50° E towards the southwest Indian Ocean.

scholarly journals Intraseasonal and Interannual Variability in North American Storm Tracks and Its Relationship to Equatorial Pacific Variability

2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (10) ◽  
pp. 3610-3625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Grise ◽  
Seok-Woo Son ◽  
John R. Gyakum
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
North American ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Extratropical Cyclones ◽  
The North ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Cyclone Tracks ◽  
Lagrangian Tracking ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation

Abstract Extratropical cyclones play a principal role in wintertime precipitation and severe weather over North America. On average, the greatest number of cyclones track 1) from the lee of the Rocky Mountains eastward across the Great Lakes and 2) over the Gulf Stream along the eastern coastline of North America. However, the cyclone tracks are highly variable within individual winters and between winter seasons. In this study, the authors apply a Lagrangian tracking algorithm to examine variability in extratropical cyclone tracks over North America during winter. A series of methodological criteria is used to isolate cyclone development and decay regions and to account for the elevated topography over western North America. The results confirm the signatures of four climate phenomena in the intraseasonal and interannual variability in North American cyclone tracks: the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Pacific–North American pattern (PNA), and the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Similar signatures are found using Eulerian bandpass-filtered eddy variances. Variability in the number of extratropical cyclones at most locations in North America is linked to fluctuations in Rossby wave trains extending from the central tropical Pacific Ocean. Only over the far northeastern United States and northeastern Canada is cyclone variability strongly linked to the NAO. The results suggest that Pacific sector variability (ENSO, PNA, and MJO) is a key contributor to intraseasonal and interannual variability in the frequency of extratropical cyclones at most locations across North America.

Seasonal climate summary for the southern hemisphere (spring 2016): strong negative Indian Ocean Dipole ends, bringing second wettest September to Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 273
Author(s):  
Blair Trewin ◽  
Catherine Ganter
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Indian Ocean Dipole ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Sea Ice Extent ◽  
Antarctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Equatorial Climate

This summary looks at the southern hemisphere and equatorial climate patterns for spring 2016, with particular attention given to the Australasian and equatorial regions of the Pacific and Indian Ocean basins. Spring 2016 was marked by the later part of a strong negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole, alongside cool neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation conditions. September was exceptionally wet over much of Australia, contributing to a wet spring with near-average temperatures. The spring was one of the warmest on record over the southern hemisphere as a whole, with Antarctic Sea ice extent dropping to record low levels for the season.

scholarly journals Seasonal Occurrence of Sympatric Blue Whale Subspecies: the Chilean and Southeast Indian Ocean Pygmy Blue Whales With the Antarctic Blue Whale

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Truong ◽  
Tracey L. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Lower Latitude ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Austral Winter ◽  
Blue Whale ◽  
Acoustic Data ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Blue Whales

There are multiple blue whale acoustic populations found across the Southern Hemisphere. The different subspecies of blue whales feed in separate areas, but during their migration to lower-latitude breeding areas each year, Antarctic blue whales become sympatric with pygmy and Chilean blue whales. Few studies have compared the degree of this overlap of the Southern Hemisphere blue whale subspecies across ocean basins during their migration. Using up to 16 years of acoustic data, this study compares the broad seasonal presence of Antarctic blue whales, Chilean blue whales, and Southeast Indian Ocean (SEIO) pygmy blue whales across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Antarctic blue whales were sympatric with the other two blue whale subspecies during the migrating season of every year. Despite this overlap, Chilean and pygmy blue whale detections peaked earlier during the austral autumn (April–May) while Antarctic blue whale detections peaked later during the austral winter (June). Chilean (Pacific Ocean) and SEIO (Indian Ocean) pygmy blue whales showed similar seasonal patterns in detections despite occurring in different ocean basins. Though we have shown that Antarctic blue whales have the potential to encounter other blue whale subspecies during the breeding season, these distinct groups have remained acoustically stable through time. Further understanding of where these whales migrate will enable a better insight as to how these subspecies continue to remain separate.

scholarly journals A numerical modelling study of the interannual variability in the Indian Ocean

MAUSAM ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-422
Author(s):  
S. K. BEHERA ◽  
P. S. SALVEKAR
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Return Flow ◽  
Ocean Circulation Model ◽  
Upper Layer Circulation ◽  
African Coast ◽  
The Indian Ocean

A simple reductA1 gravity wind-driven ocean circulation model is used to study the interannual variability in the upper layer of the Indian Ocean (24°S-23°N and 3S°E-IIS0E). The monthly mean wind stress for the period 1977-1986 are used as a forcing in the model. The model reproduces most of the observed features of the annual cycle of the upper layer circulation in the Indian Ocean when was forced with the ten-year average monthly mean wind. The circulation features and the model upper layer thickness show considerable interannual variability in most part of the basin; in particular, the Somali Current, the basin wide southern hemisphere gyre, the Equatorial Currents and the gyres in the Bay of Bengal. Six consecutive years starting from 1978 to 1983 which include two bad monsoon years of 1979 and 1982 are chosen to study the interannual variability. February circulation field shows stronger Equatorial Counter Currents in bad monsoon years, whereas. the cunents north of Madagascar flowing up to the African coast are found to be stronger in good monsoon years. The southward return flow from the Southern Gyre in August is strong and more to southern latitudes in the bad monsoon years. The flow circulated eastward to form another eddy east of Southern Gyre. The basin wide gyre of the southern hemisphere (SH) shows less variability in two consecutive normal years than in contrasting years.      

scholarly journals Identification and Climatology of Southern Hemisphere Mobile Fronts in a Modern Reanalysis

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1945-1962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Simmonds ◽  
Kevin Keay ◽  
John Arthur Tristram Bye
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Opposite Sign ◽  
Latitude Belt ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
Weather And Climate ◽  
Medium Range ◽  
Semiannual Variation ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Presented here is an objective approach to identify, characterize, and track Southern Hemisphere mobile fronts in hemispheric analyses of relatively modest resolution, such as reanalyses. Among the principles in its design were that it should be based on broadscale synoptic considerations and be as simple and easily understood as possible. The resulting Eulerian scheme has been applied to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA)–Interim and a climatology of frontal characteristics, at both the 10-m and 850-hPa levels, derived for the period 1 January 1989–28 February 2009. The knowledge of the character of these features is central to understanding weather and climate over the hemisphere. In both summer and winter the latitude belt 40°–60°S hosts the highest frequency of frontal points, but there are significant zonal asymmetries within this band. The climatology reveals that the longest fronts are in the Indian Ocean where mean lengths exceed 2000 km. The mean frontal intensity over the hemisphere tends to be greater at 850 hPa than at 10 m, and greater in winter than in summer. The frontal intensity also shows its maximum in the Indian Ocean. In the mean, the meridional tilt of these fronts is northwest–southeast over much of the midlatitudes and subtropics, and increases with latitude toward the equator. The tilts are of overwhelmingly opposite sign in the coastal Antarctic and subantarctic regions. Broadly speaking, the number of fronts and their mean length and mean intensity exhibit maxima in winter in the midlatitudes (30°–50°S), but show a sizeable semiannual variation (maxima in fall and spring) during the year at higher latitudes.

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