Generalised theory of ENSO and related atmospheric phenomena

Abstract

In this paper we develop a generalised theory of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomena as well as related atmospheric phenomena (e.g. quasi-biennial oscillations and the Madden-Julian oscillations) and use actual climatic records to demonstrate its credibility as well as validity. In particular, it is shown that the Southern Oscillation is primarily caused by large zonally moving heat waves at low latitudes whose zonal wavelength is approximately 360° longitude and which generally last for about one year, although some extend to over 10 years. These large zonally moving heat waves (LZMHW) are mostly formed by interactions at low latitudes among (seasonal) atmospheric patterns, zonal surface albedo patterns, incoming solar energy and its sampling sequences continuously executed by the Earth through its spinning motion. The temperature patterns associated with the LZMHW in turn generate the atmospheric pressure patterns associated with the Southern Oscillation through the well-known high correlation between ocean surface temperature and barometric pressure. The latter patterns in turn give rise to air circulation patterns and other corresponding meteorological processes. El Nino events, on the other hand, result when the peak of eastward-moving LZMHW reach the eastern part of the Pacific ocean and their heat content (at least partly) focuses onto a stretch of the ocean by the concave-shaped lining of the lofty Rocky-Andes mountains as indicated in the text. Finally the theory applies the above points to the possible existence at low latitudes of zonally moving heat/temperature (and associated meteorological) oscillations at each solar cycle period and also twice in each solar cycle period. This apparently explains the zonally moving heat/temperature waves (at a period of ∼ 11 years) which were deduced from meteorological records.