The Unique Role of the Intraseasonal Zonal Wind in March Over the Equatorial Western Pacific Contributes to Shaping the Subsequent ENSO Development

Abstract The predictability of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is significantly limited by the spring predictability barrier (SPB). Our observational analysis suggests that considering high‐frequency wind components during the spring season may mitigate the SPB impact on ENSO predictability....

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Main Authors: Ting‐Wei Cao, Fei Zheng, Jin‐Yi Yu, Xiang‐Hui Fang, Wen‐Xiu Zhong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-12-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110976
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author Ting‐Wei Cao
Fei Zheng
Jin‐Yi Yu
Xiang‐Hui Fang
Wen‐Xiu Zhong
author_facet Ting‐Wei Cao
Fei Zheng
Jin‐Yi Yu
Xiang‐Hui Fang
Wen‐Xiu Zhong
author_sort Ting‐Wei Cao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The predictability of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is significantly limited by the spring predictability barrier (SPB). Our observational analysis suggests that considering high‐frequency wind components during the spring season may mitigate the SPB impact on ENSO predictability. The intraseasonal zonal wind in March over the equatorial western Pacific initially perturbs the sea surface temperature (SST). It contributes nearly 40% of the east‐west SST gradient after 2–3 months, ranking first among other calendar months. This significant contribution causes March to become the earliest month to effectively indicate the following ENSO direction due to the active eastward‐propagating Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO) activity. Through the obvious variation of the eastward‐propagating MJO speed, it also shows the possible close relationship between the mean SST state and the interdecadal variability in intraseasonal zonal wind. Additionally, the current strong variability of intraseasonal zonal wind suggests the important role of atmospheric information in recent ENSO development.
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institution Kabale University
issn 0094-8276
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Wiley
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-7e791503502f466fbf15036fc13acd7f2025-08-20T03:25:55ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072024-12-015123n/an/a10.1029/2024GL110976The Unique Role of the Intraseasonal Zonal Wind in March Over the Equatorial Western Pacific Contributes to Shaping the Subsequent ENSO DevelopmentTing‐Wei Cao0Fei Zheng1Jin‐Yi Yu2Xiang‐Hui Fang3Wen‐Xiu Zhong4Key Laboratory of Earth System Numerical Modeling and Application Institute of Atmospheric Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaKey Laboratory of Earth System Numerical Modeling and Application Institute of Atmospheric Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaDepartment of Earth System Science University of California Irvine CA USADepartment of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Institute of Atmospheric Sciences Fudan University Shanghai ChinaSchool of Atmospheric Sciences Sun Yat‐sen University Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) Zhuhai ChinaAbstract The predictability of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is significantly limited by the spring predictability barrier (SPB). Our observational analysis suggests that considering high‐frequency wind components during the spring season may mitigate the SPB impact on ENSO predictability. The intraseasonal zonal wind in March over the equatorial western Pacific initially perturbs the sea surface temperature (SST). It contributes nearly 40% of the east‐west SST gradient after 2–3 months, ranking first among other calendar months. This significant contribution causes March to become the earliest month to effectively indicate the following ENSO direction due to the active eastward‐propagating Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO) activity. Through the obvious variation of the eastward‐propagating MJO speed, it also shows the possible close relationship between the mean SST state and the interdecadal variability in intraseasonal zonal wind. Additionally, the current strong variability of intraseasonal zonal wind suggests the important role of atmospheric information in recent ENSO development.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110976El Niño‐Southern Oscillation developmentintraseasonal zonal windeastward‐propagating MJO activityair‐sea interaction
spellingShingle Ting‐Wei Cao
Fei Zheng
Jin‐Yi Yu
Xiang‐Hui Fang
Wen‐Xiu Zhong
The Unique Role of the Intraseasonal Zonal Wind in March Over the Equatorial Western Pacific Contributes to Shaping the Subsequent ENSO Development
Geophysical Research Letters
El Niño‐Southern Oscillation development
intraseasonal zonal wind
eastward‐propagating MJO activity
air‐sea interaction
title The Unique Role of the Intraseasonal Zonal Wind in March Over the Equatorial Western Pacific Contributes to Shaping the Subsequent ENSO Development
title_full The Unique Role of the Intraseasonal Zonal Wind in March Over the Equatorial Western Pacific Contributes to Shaping the Subsequent ENSO Development
title_fullStr The Unique Role of the Intraseasonal Zonal Wind in March Over the Equatorial Western Pacific Contributes to Shaping the Subsequent ENSO Development
title_full_unstemmed The Unique Role of the Intraseasonal Zonal Wind in March Over the Equatorial Western Pacific Contributes to Shaping the Subsequent ENSO Development
title_short The Unique Role of the Intraseasonal Zonal Wind in March Over the Equatorial Western Pacific Contributes to Shaping the Subsequent ENSO Development
title_sort unique role of the intraseasonal zonal wind in march over the equatorial western pacific contributes to shaping the subsequent enso development
topic El Niño‐Southern Oscillation development
intraseasonal zonal wind
eastward‐propagating MJO activity
air‐sea interaction
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110976
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