Vertical Structure of Interannual Variability in Cross-Equatorial Flows over the Maritime Continent and Indian Ocean in Boreal Summer

Abstract

This study investigates the vertical structure of variability in the cross-equatorial flows (CEFs) over the Maritime Continent and Indian Ocean in boreal summer, based on three reanalysis datasets: ERA-Interim, JRA-55 and NCEP-2. The results show a high consistency in the interannual variability among the reanalysis datasets, especially between ERA-Interim and JRA-55, while great uncertainty exists in the decadal or long-term changes of CEFs. Further analyses on the interannual variability in CEFs indicate that there is a significant negative relationship between the upper- and lower-level CEFs over the Maritime Continent—that is, the northerlies at the upper level and southerlies at the lower level are both enhanced or weakened. This seesaw pattern is also significantly related to the CEFs over the Indian Ocean at the upper level and lower level (i.e., the Somali jet). This close relationship between the upper- and lower-level CEFs and between the Maritime Continent and Indian Ocean is manifested as the leading mode of equatorial meridional winds in the vertical-zonal section over the Maritime Continent and Indian Ocean. Finally, it is found that ENSO is closely related to the vertical leading mode, and to all the CEFs at the upper and lower levels over the Maritime Continent and Indian Ocean.