Strong ENSO Variability and a Super-ENSO Pair in the CSIRO Mark 3 Coupled Climate Model

Abstract

Abstract Simulations of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Mark 3 coupled climate model, which is not flux adjusted and has an ocean north–south resolution of approximately 0.9°, are described. Major indices, periodicity, and spatial patterns of the modeled ENSO compare well to those observed over the last 100 yr. This good simulation is achieved despite some deficiencies in the model climatology, in particular the climatological tropical Pacific sea surface temperature (SST). The model SST climatology has a “cold tongue” that is too strong and extends too far into the western equatorial Pacific, a common problem experienced by many climate models. Although this cold tongue problem also affects the model rainfall climatology over the tropical ocean, the ENSO–rainfall teleconnection pattern is realistically simulated, particularly over the Indonesian and northeast Australian regions, where in reality rainfall is sign...