Altimeter observations of the MJO/ENSO connection through Kelvin waves

Abstract

Altimeter‐derived Pacific Ocean sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) data are used to confirm the relationship between the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), through Kelvin waves, previously identified in sea surface temperature (SST) data. The altimeter data, filtered for Kelvin waves, have been cross‐correlated with MJO indices, as an alternative way of exploring and quantifying the possible connection between the MJO and ENSO. The results of the cross‐correlations of the SSHA filtered data and the MJO indices generally show higher values in the periods preceding the three ENSO warm events and lower values during, and for a short time after, these events. The significance of this correlation pattern appears to link the MJO to the ENSO warm events, through Kelvin waves. Whether this can be used for predictive purposes needs to be confirmed by further studies.