Eddy Momentum Flux Convergence Research Articles

Climate Model Biases in the Width of the Tropical Belt

Abstract Earth’s arid subtropics are situated at the edges of the tropical belt, which encircles the planet along the equator and covers half of its surface area. The climate of the tropical belt is strongly influenced by the Hadley cells, with their subsidence and easterly trade winds both sustaining the aridity at the belt’s edges. The understanding of Earth’s past, present, and future climates is contingent on understanding the dynamics influencing this region. An important but unanswered question is how realistically climate models reproduce the mean state of the tropical belt. This study augments the existing literature by examining the mean width and seasonality of the tropical belt in climate models from phase 5 of CMIP (CMIP5) and experiments from the second phase of the Chemistry–Climate Model Validation (CCMVal-2) activity of the Stratospheric Processes and Their Role in Climate (SPARC) project. While the models overall reproduce the structure of the tropical belt width’s seasonal cycle, they underestimate its amplitude and cannot consistently reproduce the seasonal cycle lag between the Northern Hemisphere Hadley cell edge and subtropical jet latitudes found in observations. Additionally, up to 50% of the intermodel variation in mean tropical belt width can be attributed to model horizontal resolution, with finer resolution leading to a narrower tropical belt. Finer resolution is associated with an equatorward shift and intensification of subtropical eddy momentum flux convergence, which via the Coriolis torque explains essentially all of the grid-size bias and a large fraction of the total intermodel variation in Hadley cell width.

Upper-tropospheric environment–tropical cyclone interactions over the western North Pacific: A statistical study

Based on 25-year (1987–2011) tropical cyclone (TC) best track data, a statistical study was carried out to investigate the basic features of upper-tropospheric TC–environment interactions over the western North Pacific. Interaction was defined as the absolute value of eddy momentum flux convergence (EFC) exceeding 10 m s-1 d-1. Based on this definition, it was found that 18% of all six-hourly TC samples experienced interaction. Extreme interaction cases showed that EFC can reach ~120 m s-1 d-1 during the extratropical-cyclone (EC) stage, an order of magnitude larger than reported in previous studies. Composite analysis showed that positive interactions are characterized by a double-jet flow pattern, rather than the traditional trough pattern, because it is the jets that bring in large EFC from the upper-level environment to the TC center. The role of the outflow jet is also enhanced by relatively low inertial stability, as compared to the inflow jet. Among several environmental factors, it was found that extremely large EFC is usually accompanied by high inertial stability, low SST and strong vertical wind shear (VWS). Thus, the positive effect of EFC is cancelled by their negative effects. Only those samples during the EC stage, whose intensities were less dependent on VWS and the underlying SST, could survive in extremely large EFC environments, or even re-intensify. For classical TCs (not in the EC stage), it was found that environments with a moderate EFC value generally below ~25 m s-1 d-1 are more favorable for a TC’s intensification than those with extremely large EFC.

Covariation of finite‐amplitude wave activity and the zonal mean flow in the midlatitude troposphere: 1. Theory and application to the Southern Hemisphere summer

AbstractTropospheric eddy‐mean flow interaction is formulated in terms of the vertically integrated budget of finite‐amplitude wave activity (FAWA). At each latitude the dynamics is governed by three coupled equations for the interior and surface FAWA and barotropic zonal mean zonal flow. In midlatitude austral summer, the budget reveals a largely adiabatic, antiphase covariation of FAWA and the mean flow. A marked periodicity is found for FAWA around 20–30 days, but not the mean flow, consistent with the recently discovered baroclinic annular mode. The difference in the spectra of FAWA and the mean flow arises from (i) distinct spectra of low‐level meridional eddy heat flux and the barotropic eddy momentum flux convergence and (ii) a strong thermal damping of surface wave activity: the latter makes the FAWA respond largely to the low‐level meridional eddy heat flux at low frequencies, whereas the zonal mean flow responds to the momentum flux convergence whose spectrum is broader and occupies higher frequencies.

Poleward migration of eddy‐driven jets

AbstractPoleward migration of eddy‐driven jets is found to occur in the extratropics when the subtropical and eddy‐driven jets are clearly separated, as achieved by simulations at high‐rotation rates. The poleward migration of these eddy‐driven baroclinic jets over time is consistent with variation of eddy momentum flux convergence and baroclinicity across the width of the jet. We demonstrate this using a high‐resolution idealized GCM where we systematically examine the eddy‐driven jets over a wide range of rotation rates (up to 16 times the rotation rate of Earth). At the flanks of the jets, the poleward migration is caused by a poleward bias in baroclinicity across the width of the jet, estimated through measures such as Eady growth rate and supercriticality. The poleward biased baroclinicity is due to the meridional variation of the Coriolis parameter, which causes a poleward bias of the eddy momentum flux convergence. At the core of the jets, the poleward biased eddy momentum flux convergence relative to the mean jet deflects over time the baroclinicity and the jets poleward. As the rotation rate is increased, and more (narrower) jets emerge the migration rate becomes smaller due to less eddy momentum flux convergence over the narrower baroclinic zones. We find a linear relation between the migration rate of the jets and the net eddy momentum flux convergence across the jets. This poleward migration might be related to the slow poleward propagation of temporal anomalies of zonal winds observed in the upper troposphere.

The use of a flow field correction technique for alleviating the North Atlantic cold bias with application to the Kiel Climate Model

The North Atlantic cold bias, associated with the misplacement of the North Atlantic Current (NAC) and typically extending from the surface to 1000 m depth, is a common problem in coupled models that compromises model fidelity. We investigate the use of a flow field correction (FFC) to adjust the path of the NAC and alleviate the cold bias. The FFC consists of three steps. First, climatological potential temperature (T) and salinity (S) fields for use with the model are produced using a three-dimensional restoring technique. Second, these T, S fields are used to modify the momentum equations of the ocean model. In the third stage, the correction term is diagnosed to construct a flow-independent correction. Results using the Kiel Climate Model show that the FFC allows the establishment of a northwest corner, substantially alleviating the subsurface cold bias. A cold bias remains at the surface but can be eliminated by additionally correcting the surface freshwater flux, without adjusting the surface heat flux seen by the ocean model. A model version in which only the surface fluxes of heat and freshwater are corrected continues to exhibit the incorrect path of the NAC and a strong subsurface bias. We also show that the bias in the atmospheric circulation is reduced in some corrected model versions. The FFC can be regarded as a way to correct for model error, e.g. associated with the deep water mass pathways and their impact on the large-scale ocean circulation, and unresolved processes such as eddy momentum flux convergence.

Initial Transient Response of the Winter Polar Stratospheric Vortex to Idealized Equatorial Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies in the NCAR WACCM

Abstract Perpetual winter simulations using the NCAR Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) are conducted to document the differences of the initial transient response of the boreal winter Northern Hemisphere stratospheric polar vortex to central (CPW) and eastern Pacific warming (EPW) events. Idealized patches of positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies are superimposed onto a climatological SST field to mimic canonical CPW and EPW forcings. A 20-member ensemble was created by varying initial atmospheric conditions for both CPW and EPW cases. In the ensemble average, the vortex weakens under both CPW and EPW forcing, indicated by a negative zonal mean zonal wind tendency. This tendency is mainly tied to changes in the eddy-driven mean meridional circulation (MMC). A negative anomaly in the eddy momentum flux convergence also plays a secondary role in the weakening. The vortex response, however, differs dramatically among individual ensemble members. A few ensemble members exhibit initial vortex strengthening although weaker in magnitude and shorter in duration than the initial weakening in the ensemble average. The initial state and the subsequent internal variation of the extratropical atmosphere is at least as important as the type of SST forcing in determining the transient response of the stratospheric polar vortex. Interactions between the internal variability of the vortex and SST-driven wave anomalies ultimately determine the nature of the initial transient response of the vortex to EPW and CPW forcing. This sensitivity to the initial atmospheric state has implications for understanding medium-range forecasts of the extratropical atmospheric response to emerging tropical SST anomalies, particularly over high-latitude regions.

Jet Interaction and the Influence of a Minimum Phase Speed Bound on the Propagation of Eddies

Abstract The feedback between planetary-scale eddies and analogs of the midlatitude eddy-driven jet and the subtropical jet is investigated in a barotropic β-plane model. In the model the subtropical jet is generated by a relaxation process and the eddy-driven jet by an imposed wavemaker. A minimum zonal phase speed bound is proposed in addition to the established upper bound, where the zonal phase speed of waves must be less than that of the zonal mean zonal flow. Cospectral analysis of eddy momentum flux convergence shows that eddy activity is generally restricted by these phase speed bounds. The wavenumber-dependent minimum phase speed represents a turning line for meridionally propagating waves. By varying the separation distance between the relaxation and stirring regions, it is found that a sustained, double-jet state is achieved when either a critical or turning latitude forms in the interjet region. The interjet turning latitude filters eddies by zonal wavenumber such that shorter waves tend to be reflected off of the relaxed jet and are confined to the eddy-driven jet. The interjet region is transparent to long waves that act to blend the jets and may be associated with barotropic instability. The eddy-driven and relaxed jets tend to merge owing to the propagation of these long waves through the relaxed jet waveguide.

Connections between the Spring Breakup of the Southern Hemisphere Polar Vortex, Stationary Waves, and Air–Sea Roughness

Abstract A robust connection between the drag on surface-layer winds and the stratospheric circulation is demonstrated in NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry–Climate Model (GEOSCCM). Specifically, an updated parameterization of roughness at the air–sea interface, in which surface roughness is increased for moderate wind speeds (4–20 m s−1), leads to a decrease in model biases in Southern Hemispheric ozone, polar cap temperature, stationary wave heat flux, and springtime vortex breakup. A dynamical mechanism is proposed whereby increased surface roughness leads to improved stationary waves. Increased surface roughness leads to anomalous eddy momentum flux convergence primarily in the Indian Ocean sector (where eddies are strongest climatologically) in September and October. The localization of the eddy momentum flux convergence anomaly in the Indian Ocean sector leads to a zonally asymmetric reduction in zonal wind and, by geostrophy, to a wavenumber-1 stationary wave pattern. This tropospheric stationary wave pattern leads to enhanced upward wave activity entering the stratosphere. The net effect is an improved Southern Hemisphere vortex: the vortex breaks up earlier in spring (i.e., the spring late-breakup bias is partially ameliorated) yet is no weaker in midwinter. More than half of the stratospheric biases appear to be related to the surface wind speed biases. As many other chemistry–climate models use a similar scheme for their surface-layer momentum exchange and have similar biases in the stratosphere, the authors expect that results from GEOSCCM may be relevant for other climate models.

Variability in the width of the tropics and the annular modes

The correlation between unforced variability in the latitude of the edge of the Hadley cell (ΦHC) and latitude of the surface westerlies (ΦEDJ) is examined using a simplified moist general circulation model (GCM) and a suite of state of the art GCMs. The correlation can be determined by the time‐mean separation of the two features. When the separation is small, there is a positive correlation, and as the separation between them increases, the correlation reduces. In the simplified model, a weak negative correlation emerges at large separations.The location of the anomalous meridional mass flux associated with variations in the latitude of ΦEDJ, relative to the climatological Hadley cell position, determines the extent to which ΦHC is influenced by changes in ΦEDJ. Changes in the latitude of ΦEDJ are driven by anomalous eddy momentum flux convergence, and these are approximately balanced by the Coriolis torque on the meridional flow, as expected under quasi‐geostrophic scaling. Under changing time‐mean climates, the anomalous flow associated with ΦEDJ variability translates location so that it is approximately fixed relative to the time‐mean ΦEDJ. This means that the influence of ΦEDJ variability on ΦHC varies as a function of the time‐mean separation of the features.Initial indications are that the same causal relationship holds in a suite of state of the art GCMs and that this explains the seasonal variation in the correlation between ΦHC and ΦEDJ.

On the Speed of the Eddy-Driven Jet and the Width of the Hadley Cell in the Southern Hemisphere

Abstract A strong correlation between the speed of the eddy-driven jet and the width of the Hadley cell is found to exist in the Southern Hemisphere, both in reanalysis data and in twenty-first-century integrations from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report multimodel archive. Analysis of the space–time spectra of eddy momentum flux reveals that variations in eddy-driven jet speed are related to changes in the mean phase speed of midlatitude eddies. An increase in eddy phase speeds induces a poleward shift of the critical latitudes and a poleward expansion of the region of subtropical wave breaking. The associated changes in eddy momentum flux convergence are balanced by anomalous meridional winds consistent with a wider Hadley cell. At the same time, faster eddies are also associated with a strengthened poleward eddy momentum flux, sustaining a stronger westerly jet in midlatitudes. The proposed mechanism is consistent with the seasonal dependence of the interannual variability of the Hadley cell width and appears to explain at least part of the projected twenty-first-century trends.

태풍 나크리(0208)의 강도변화에 관한 진단적 분석

In this study, the cause of rapid intensity change of typhoon Nakri(0208) in view of point of a trough-typhoon interaction using diagnostic methods was examined based on 6-hourly GDAPS data from 10 to 13 July, 2002. At 0000 UTC 13 July, high PV(Potential Vorticity) region moved southeastward, reaching to the western edge of the Korean peninsula and near typhoon center at surface and there shows an increasing value of EFC(Eddy Momentum Flux Convergence). Also, as the trough and typhoon approach one another at the same time, the vertical shear(850-200 hPa) increases to more than 15 m/s. Thus, it might be concluded that the trough-typhoon interaction made intensified significantly, providing the fact that typhoon Nakri(0208) underwent substantial weakening while moving northward to around Jeju island.

Atmospheric Circulation Response to an Instantaneous Doubling of Carbon Dioxide. Part II: Atmospheric Transient Adjustment and Its Dynamics

Abstract The dynamical mechanisms underlying the transient circulation adjustment in the extratropical atmosphere after the instantaneous doubling of carbon dioxide are investigated using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model version 3 coupled to a Slab Ocean Model. It is shown that the transient process during the first few months of integration is important in setting up the extratropical circulation response in equilibrium such as the poleward shift of the tropospheric jet streams. Three phases are found during the transient thermal/dynamical adjustment in the Northern Hemisphere: 1) a radiatively driven easterly anomaly in the subpolar stratosphere, 2) an acceleration of the westerly anomaly in the subpolar stratosphere as a result of anomalous planetary-scale eddy momentum flux convergence, and 3) a “downward migration” of the westerly anomaly from the lower stratosphere to the troposphere, followed by the tropospheric jet shift. Several proposed mechanisms for inducing the poleward shift of the tropospheric jet streams are examined. No significant increase in eddy phase speed is found. The rise in tropopause height appears to lead the tropospheric jet shift but no close relation is observed. The length scale of transient eddies does increase but does not lead the tropospheric jet shift. Finally, the tropospheric jet shift can be captured by changes in the index of refraction and the resulting anomalous eddy propagation in the troposphere.

Arctic Response to an MJO-Like Tropical Heating in an Idealized GCM

Abstract Using an initial-value approach with an idealized general circulation model, the mechanisms by which the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) influences the Arctic surface air temperature (SAT) are investigated. Model calculations corresponding to MJO phases 1 and 5 are performed, as previous studies have shown that these two phases are associated with a cooling and warming of the Arctic surface, respectively. Observed MJO-like tropical heating profiles are specified, with the phase 5 (phase 1) heating taking on a more zonally localized (uniform) spatial structure. A large ensemble of model runs is performed, where the initial flow of each ensemble member consists of the winter climatology together with an initial perturbation that is selected randomly from observational data. The model calculations show that MJO phase 5 (phase 1) is followed by a strengthening (weakening) in the poleward wave activity propagation out of the tropics, which leads to an increase (decrease) in Arctic SAT. Examination of the corresponding eddy momentum flux convergence and mass streamfunction fields shows that an eddy-induced mean meridional circulation warms (cools) the Arctic for phase 5 (phase 1). Further Arctic warming (cooling) takes place through changes in the planetary-scale, poleward eddy heat flux. In addition, calculations with a passive tracer added to the model show an increase (decrease) in the high-latitude tracer concentration for MJO phase 5 (phase 1). These results suggest that the observed changes in Arctic downward infrared radiation associated with the MJO may be associated with changes in poleward moisture transport.

Barotropic Impacts of Surface Friction on Eddy Kinetic Energy and Momentum Fluxes: An Alternative to the Barotropic Governor

Abstract As the surface drag is increased in a comprehensive general circulation model (GCM), the upper-level zonal winds decrease and eddy momentum flux convergence into the jet core increases. Globally averaged eddy kinetic energy decreases, a response that is inconsistent with the conventional barotropic governor mechanism whereby decreased barotropic shears encourage baroclinic wave growth. As the conventional barotropic governor appears insufficient to explain the entire response in the comprehensive GCM, the nondivergent barotropic model on the sphere is used to demonstrate an additional mechanism for the effect of surface drag on eddy momentum fluxes and eddy kinetic energy. Analysis of the pseudomomentum budget shows that increased drag modifies the background meridional vorticity gradient, which allows for enhanced eddy momentum flux convergence and decreased eddy kinetic energy in the presence of a constant eddy source. This additional feedback may explain the changes in eddy momentum fluxes observed in the comprehensive GCM and was likely present in previous work on the barotropic governor.

Atmospheric Circulation Response to an Instantaneous Doubling of Carbon Dioxide. Part I: Model Experiments and Transient Thermal Response in the Troposphere*

AbstractThis study aims to understand the dynamical mechanisms driving the changes in the general circulation of the atmosphere due to increased carbon dioxide (CO2) by looking into the transient step-by-step adjustment of the circulation. The transient atmospheric adjustment is examined using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model, version 3, coupled to a slab ocean model, and the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is uniformly and instantaneously doubled. The thermal structure and circulation response is well established after one year of integration, with the magnitudes gradually increasing afterward toward quasi equilibrium. Tropical upper-tropospheric warming occurs in the first month. The expansion of the warming in the mid- and upper troposphere to the subtropics occurs later and is found to be primarily dynamically driven due to the intensification of transient eddy momentum flux convergence and resulting anomalous descending motion in this region. The poleward displacement of the midlatitude tropospheric jet streams occurs together with the change in eddy momentum flux convergence, but only after the intensification of the subpolar westerlies in the stratosphere. The results demonstrate the importance of the tropospheric eddies in setting up the extratropical tropospheric response to global warming.

Equatorial Planetary Waves and Their Signature in Atmospheric Variability

Abstract Equatorial planetary waves are a fundamental component of the tropical climate system. Previous studies have examined their structure in the climatological-mean circulation, their role in the climatological-mean momentum balance of the tropics, and their contribution to the climatological-mean upwelling across the tropical tropopause. In this study, the authors focus on the contribution of the equatorial planetary waves to variability in the tropical circulation about its climatological-mean state. The equatorial planetary waves that dominate the climatological mean exhibit considerable variability on intraseasonal and interannual time scales. Variability in the amplitude of the equatorial planetary waves is associated with a distinct pattern of equatorially symmetric climate variability that also emerges from empirical orthogonal function analysis of various tropical dynamical fields. Variability in the equatorial planetary waves is characterized by variations in 1) convection in the deep tropics, 2) eddy momentum flux convergence and zonal-mean zonal wind in the tropical upper troposphere, 3) the mean meridional circulation of the tropical and subtropical troposphere, 4) temperatures in the tropical lower stratosphere and subtropical troposphere of both hemispheres, and 5) the amplitude of the upper tropospheric anticyclones over the western tropical Pacific Ocean. It is argued that pulsation of the equatorial planetary waves provides an alternative framework for interpreting the response of the tropical circulation to a range of climate phenomena. Pulsation of the equatorial planetary waves is apparent in association with opposing phases of El Niño–Southern Oscillation and select phases of the Madden–Julian oscillation. Pulsation of the equatorial planetary waves also contributes to variability in measures of the width of the tropical belt.

The Tropospheric Response to Tropical and Subtropical Zonally Asymmetric Torques: Analytical and Idealized Numerical Model Results

Abstract The tropospheric response to prescribed tropical and subtropical zonally asymmetric torques, which can be considered as idealizations of vertical momentum transfers by orographic gravity waves or convection, is investigated. The linear analytical Gill model response to westward upper-tropospheric torques is compared to the response to a midtropospheric heating, which is a familiar point of reference. The response to an equatorial torque projects onto a Kelvin wave response to the east that is of opposite sign to the response to the east of the heating at upper levels. In contrast, the torque and heating both produce Rossby gyres of the same sign to the west of the forcing and the zonal-mean streamfunction responses are identical. When the forcings are shifted into the Northern Hemisphere, the streamfunction responses have opposite signs: there is upwelling in the Southern (Northern) Hemisphere in response to the torque (heating). The nonlinear response to westward torques was explored in idealized general circulation model experiments. In the absence of a large-scale meridional temperature gradient, the response to an equatorial torque was confined to the tropics and was qualitatively similar to the linear solutions. When the torque was moved into the subtropics, the vorticity budget response was similar to a downward control–type balance in the zonal mean. In the presence of a meridional temperature gradient, the response to an equatorial torque involved a poleward shift of the midlatitude tropospheric jet and Ferrel cell. The response in midlatitudes was associated with a poleward shift of the regions of horizontal eddy momentum flux convergence, which coincided with a shift in the upper-tropospheric critical line for baroclinic waves. The shift in the critical line was caused (in part) by the zonal wind response to the prescribed torque, suggesting a possible cause of the response in midlatitudes. Overall, this hierarchy of analytical and numerical results highlights robust aspects of the response to tropical and subtropical zonally asymmetric torques and represents the first step toward understanding the response in fully comprehensive general circulation models.

Association Rule Data Mining Applications for Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Intensity Changes

Abstract This study applies a data mining technique called association rule mining to the analysis of intensity changes of North Atlantic tropical cyclones (TCs). The “best track” data from the National Hurricane Center and the Statistical Hurricane Intensity Prediction Scheme databases were stratified into tropical depressions, tropical storms, and category 1–5 hurricanes based on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale. After stratification, the seven resulting groups of TCs plus two additional aggregation groups were further separated into intensifying, weakening, and stable TCs. The analysis of the stratified data for preprocessing revealed that faster northward storm motion (the meridional component of storm motion) favors tropical storm intensification but does not favor the intensification of hurricanes. Intensifying tropical storms are more strongly associated with a higher convergence in the upper atmosphere (200-hPa relative eddy momentum flux convergence) than weakening tropical storms, while intensifying hurricanes are more strongly associated with lower convergence values. The mined association rules showed that cofactors usually display higher-intensity prediction power in the stratified TC groups. The data mining results also identified a predictor set with fewer factors but improved probabilities of rapid intensification. This study found that the data mining technique not only sheds light on the roles of multiple-associated physical processes in tropical cyclone development—especially in rapid intensification processes—but also will help improve TC intensity forecasting. This paper provides an outline on how to use this data mining technique and how to overcome low occurrences of mined conditions in order to improve TC intensity forecasting capabilities.

Interactions between Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillations and Synoptic-Scale Disturbances over the Western North Pacific. Part II: Apparent Heat and Moisture Sources and Eddy Momentum Transport*

Abstract The interactions between the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) and synoptic-scale variability (SSV) are investigated by diagnosing the atmospheric apparent heat source (Q1), apparent moisture sink (Q2), and eddy momentum transport. It is found that the synoptic Q1 and Q2 heating (cooling) anomalies are in phase with cyclonic (anticyclonic) vorticity disturbances, aligned in a southeast–northwest-oriented wave train pattern over the western North Pacific (WNP). The wave train is well organized and strengthened (loosely organized and weakened) during the ISO active (suppressed) phase. The nonlinearly rectified Q1 and Q2 fields due to the eddy–mean flow interaction account for 10%–30% of the total intraseasonal Q1 and Q2 variabilities over the WNP. During the ISO active (suppressed) phase, the nonlinearly rectified intraseasonal Q1 and Q2 heating (cooling) appear to the northwest of the ISO enhanced (suppressed) convection center, favoring the northwestward propagation of the ISO. A diagnosis of the zonal momentum budget shows that the eddy momentum flux convergence forces an intraseasonal westerly (easterly) tendency to the north of the ISO westerly (easterly) center during the ISO active (suppressed) phase. As a result, the eddy momentum transport may contribute to the northward propagation of the boreal summer ISO over the WNP.

A comparison of polar vortex response to Pacific and Indian Ocean warming

During recent decades, the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean has become increasingly warmer. Meanwhile, both the northern and southern hemispheric polar vortices (NPV and SPV) have exhibited a deepening trend in boreal winter. Although previous studies have revealed that the tropical Indian Ocean warming (IOW) favors an intensifying NPV and a weakening SPV, how the tropical Pacific Ocean warming (POW) influences the NPV and SPV remains unclear. In this study, a comparative analysis has been conducted through ensemble atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) experiments. The results show that, for the Northern Hemisphere, the two warmings exerted opposite impacts in boreal winter, in that the IOW intensified the NPV while the POW weakened the NPV. For the Southern Hemisphere, both the IOW and POW warmed the southern polar atmosphere and weakened the SPV. A diagnostic analysis based on the vorticity budget revealed that such an interhemispheric difference in influences from the IOW and POW in boreal winter was associated with different roles of transient eddy momentum flux convergence between the hemispheres. Furthermore, this difference may have been linked to different strengths of stationary wave activity between the hemispheres in boreal winter.