Balanced Dynamics in the Madden-Julian Oscillation

Balanced dynamics describes the response of the tropical thermodynamic environment to changes in the atmospheric vorticity patterns. Observations and numerical simulations have demonstrated that positive mid-tropspheric vorticity anomalies produce a more stable thermodynamic environment with cool anomalies at low levels and warm anomalies aloft. The increase in atmospheric stability creates more bottom-heavy convective profiles which are highly conducive for developing tropical cyclones. Balanced dynamics may also play a role in other varieties of tropical convection, including the most significant source of intraseasonal variability: the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). Using data from DYNAMO-a field program aimed to investigate the dynamics of the MJO-we investigate the role of balanced dynamics in the Madden-Julian Oscillation.

This work supported by the NSF.