The Madden-Julian Oscillation

Woolnough, S. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0500-8514 (2018) The Madden-Julian Oscillation. In: Robertson, A. W. and Vitart, F. (eds.) Sub-Seasonal to Seasonal Prediction: The Gap Between Weather and Climate Forecasting. Elsevier, pp. 93-117. ISBN 9780128117149 doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-811714-9.00005-X

Abstract/Summary

This chapter describes the characteristics and sub-seasonal prediction of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), the dominant mode of intraseasonal variability in the tropical climate system and as such, a major source of predictability on sub-seasonal timescales. It describes the observed convective signal and circulation of the MJO and its global impacts on the weather; summarizes theories for its maintenance and propagation and the ability of weather and climate models to simulate the MJO; and reviews current operational skill for MJO prediction. The chapter concludes by identifying some outstanding questions in MJO research of relevance to sub-seasonal prediction.