GOAPP Discussion Group, November 13, 2007

Location: Gordon Riley Conference Room, Department of Oceanography, 3rd Floor LSC

Time: 3:30-5:00pm

Title: The Madden-Julian Oscillation: An overview of the physical processes and possible connections with northern high-latitude weather and climate

Discussion Leader: Eric Oliver

Abstract:

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is an eastward-propagating tropospheric disturbance in the tropics. Its effect can be observed in tropical temperature, pressure and the wind field among other quantities. Recent studies have correlated variability in the MJO to variability in US Pacific Northwest precipitation, tropical cyclone activity in the Gulf of Mexico and Australian Basin regions, and northern high latitude surface air temperature (including northern Canada). I will present the basic mechanisms upon which our current understanding of the MJO rely as well as review the above proposed teleconnections. Finally, I will present my ongoing research which includes a novel method of characterizing the MJO as well as correlations between MJO variability and weather variability in Goose Bay, NL, Canada.