Mastering the mysteries of the Madden-Julian Oscillation
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - 13:01
in Earth & Climate
Tropical monsoons, cyclones and thunderstorms. Weather patterns around the world are influenced by the MJO. And now, climate scientists can model it, thanks to research from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The Madden-Julian Oscillation, or MJO, is a 30-60 day atmospheric wave that affects weather from the Indian Ocean to the U.S. Pacific Coast. This study answers long-standing questions about where the MJO gets its energy and how its access to moisture affects the regularity and recurrence of the wave.