The MJO signal in tropical cyclone activity A study using a genesis potential index Suzana J. Camargo Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY Matthew C. Wheeler Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, Melbourne, Australia Adam H. Sobel Columbia University, New York, NY

The convective phase of the MJO brings increased TC activity in many basins. By what mechanism does this occur? The convective phase of the MJO brings increased TC activity in many basins. By what mechanism does this occur? We examine this using an empirical genesis potential index. To the extent that the GP index captures the We examine this using an empirical genesis potential index. To the extent that the GP index captures the MJO signal in TC activity, it gives us an objective way to compare quantitatively the influence of different environmental factors (humidity, wind shear etc.) all of which are modulated by the MJO.

GP= |10 5 η| 3/2 (H/50) 3 (V pot /70) 3 (1+0.1V shear ) -2 η = absolute vorticity at 850hPa (s -1 ) H = relative humidity at 700hPa (%) V pot = potential intensity (m/s) as per Emanuel. V shear = magnitude of the vertical wind shear between 200 and 850hPa (m/s). K.A. Emanuel and D. Nolan, 26 th AMS Conf. Hurricanes & Tropical Meteorology, Camargo, Emanuel and Sobel, J. Climate, 20, We use the Emanuel-Nolan genesis potential index. The idea follows Gray (1979)(but e.g. no SST threshold)

We use the real-time multivariate MJO index of Wheeler and Hendon (2004) to define the MJO phase and amplitude. Composite OLR anomalies (shading, hatched=positive) and 850 hPa wind anomalies associated with 8 phases of the MJO

We compute MJO anomaly composites for the GPI (computed from NCEP Reanalysis data – similar results from ECMWF) and for observed TC genesis density and track density (computed from best track data sets).

GPI Anomaly composites - JFM

GPI and OLR Anom. Composites - JFM

Track Density Anom. composites - JFM

Having shown that the GPI captures the MJO signal in TC activity, we use it to assess which factor is most important in producing that signal – potential intensity, low-level absolute vorticity, vertical wind shear, or midlevel relative humidity? We do this by constructing a new GPI in which 3 of 4 factors are set to climatology and the 4 th is allowed to fluctuate. We do this for all 4 factors. This gives us a set of anomalies in each individual factor which is weighted appropriately to compare its influence on TC activity to that of the others.

Relative Humidity varying - JFM

Vorticity varying - JFM

Vertical Shear varying - JFM

Potential Intensity Varying - JFM

Relative Humidity varying - ASO

Conclusions  The GP index is able to capture the observed TC activity variations with the MJO, qualitatively and quantitatively.  Parsing the GP into its various factors, relative humidity makes the largest contribution to the MJO enhancement to TC activity. Vorticity also contributes, vertical shear goes the wrong way, PI (which incorporates column stability and SST) is relatively unimportant. Paper in review for J. Climate, available at

GPI Anom. Composites - ASO

GPI & OLR Anom. Composites ASO

Track Density Anom. Composites ASO

Calculating GPI - MJO composites  Data: NCEP reanalysis daily data NCEP reanalysis daily data Reynolds WEEKLY SST data ( available Nov to present) Reynolds WEEKLY SST data ( available Nov to present)  Period:  Calculate daily PI, vertical shear and absolute vorticity.  Weekly running means of PI, relative humidity, absolute vorticity and vertical shear  Calculate daily GPI from smoothed fields  Daily GPI climatology  Daily GPI anomalies  Composites of GPI using MJO index

Other composites  Outgoing longwave radiation (OLR): Daily data - Liebmann & Smith ( ) Daily data - Liebmann & Smith ( ) Composites calculated similarly to GPI Composites calculated similarly to GPI  Track density: NHC and JTWC best track data ( ) NHC and JTWC best track data ( ) Count number of occurrences in each 2.5 degrees square - same resolution as other data. Count number of occurrences in each 2.5 degrees square - same resolution as other data. Composites calculated similarly to GPI. Composites calculated similarly to GPI.

Genesis Potential Index Climatology - September