Subsurface Nonlinear Dynamical Heating and ENSO Asymmetry

Hayashi, Michiya; Jin, Fei‐Fei

doi:10.1002/2017GL075771

Subsurface Nonlinear Dynamical Heating and ENSO Asymmetry

Journal Article · Sun Dec 17 00:00:00 EST 2017 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL075771· OSTI ID:1413794

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Department of Atmospheric Sciences, SOEST University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Honolulu HI USA

Abstract

This study presents evidence of interannual to interdecadal variabilities residing in the subsurface nonlinear dynamical heating (NDH) along the equatorial Pacific thermocline based on ocean reanalysis products. In association with a flattened thermocline and drastic halt of the Equatorial Undercurrent, the NDH increases sharply right after a peak of the strong El Niño, reducing the linear anomalous advective subsurface cooling by 30%. As the result, subsurface cold signals in the west are significantly weakened as it reaches the easternmost Pacific, causing less surface cooling in the east and thus weakening the subsequent La Niña. Therefore, the subsurface NDH contributes to asymmetry in both the magnitude and structure between El Niño and La Niña. The acute positive subsurface NDH associated with strong El Niño events leads to substantial variations in its decadal means and serves as a potential source for tropical Pacific decadal to interdecadal variabilities.

View Accepted Manuscript (Publisher)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 1413794

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 24 Vol. 44; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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