Multidecadal variations of the effects of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation on the climate system

Stefan Brönnimann,Alexander Stickler,Werner Schmutz,Martin Wegmann,Stefan Muthers,Julien Anet,Christoph C Raible,Eugene Rozanov,Abdul Malik

doi:10.5194/acp-16-15529-2016

Abstract

Abstract. Effects of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) on tropospheric climate are not always strong or they appear only intermittently. Studying them requires long time series of both the QBO and climate variables, which has restricted previous studies to the past 30–50 years. Here we use the benefits of an existing QBO reconstruction back to 1908. We first investigate additional, newly digitized historical observations of stratospheric winds to test the reconstruction. Then we use the QBO time series to analyse atmospheric data sets (reconstructions and reanalyses) as well as the results of coupled ocean–atmosphere–chemistry climate model simulations that were forced with the reconstructed QBO. We investigate effects related to (1) tropical–extratropical interaction in the stratosphere, wave–mean flow interaction and subsequent downward propagation, and (2) interaction between deep tropical convection and stratospheric flow. We generally find weak connections, though some are statistically significant over the 100-year period and consistent with model results. Apparent multidecadal variations in the connection between the QBO and the investigated climate responses are consistent with a small effect in the presence of large variability, with one exception: the imprint on the northern polar vortex, which is seen in recent reanalysis data, is not found in the period 1908–1957. Conversely, an imprint in Berlin surface air temperature is only found in 1908–1957 but not in the recent period. Likewise, in the model simulations both links tend to appear alternatingly, suggesting a more systematic modulation due to a shift in the circulation, for example. Over the Pacific warm pool, we find increased convection during easterly QBO, mainly in boreal winter in observation-based data as well as in the model simulations, with large variability. No QBO effects were found in the Indian monsoon strength or Atlantic hurricane frequency.

Highlights

The Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) is an oscillation of equatorial stratospheric zonal winds with a downward propagating phase taking approximately 1 year from the stratopause to the tropopause
An easterly QBO at 50 hPa leads to convergence of wave activity in the subtropical lower stratosphere and in the subpolar middle and upper stratosphere (e.g. Garfinkel et al, 2012)
Our analysis reveals relatively small influence of the QBO on the tropospheric climate, which is consistent with historical literature and in some cases with climate model simulations

Summary

Introduction

The Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) is an oscillation of equatorial stratospheric zonal winds with a downward propagating phase taking approximately 1 year from the stratopause to the tropopause. It is relevant for interannual variability of stratospheric dynamics and composition (Baldwin et al, 2001), both in the tropics and the polar regions It has been demonstrated that the QBO affects tropospheric weather, either through its effect on the stratospheric polar vortex (Baldwin et al, 2001) or perhaps directly through interaction with tropical convection (Collimore et al, 2003; Huang et al, 2012). Brönnimann et al.: Multidecadal variations of the effects of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation or El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO; Gray et al, 1992a, b)

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Results

Conclusion