Variability of Tropical Circulation and Climate

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

Investigators

Abstract

The PI will continue to investigate circulation mechanisms of tropical climate variability, using upper-air data sets, in particular the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)-National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) 40-year reanalysis, land surface station records and long-term ship observations in the tropical oceans. The annual cycle, interannual variability, and long-term evolution will be examined. Specific tasks are the following: a) to investigate upper-air mechanisms of the Southern and North Atlantic Oscillations; b) to undertake diagnostic basis for seasonal forecasting of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall and boreal autumn rainy season of East Africa by examining upper-air processes in the Indian Ocean; c) to evaluate equatorial zonal circulations using the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and NCEP-NCAR reanalyses datasets; d) to develop climate prediction techniques for the Indian summer monsoon rainfall and short rains of East Africa based on diagnostic methods; e) to study centers of action, in particular the long-term evolution of the North Atlantic Oscillation and climate of East Asia, using the NCEP-NCAR data set; and f) to continue synergistic activities including contributions to training courses in Tropical Meteorology in the United States.