Climate Dynamics 753

General Circulation of the Atmosphere

Course Projects

Overall Project Requirements

  1. Brief literature review of recent papers to provide motivation
  2. Original computations based on data sets provided
  3. Written paper (approx. 10 pages)
  4. Oral Presentation (approx 20 minutes)
  5. Can work in teams

Suggested Project Topics

  1. Observational: Based on Reanalysis Only
    1. Trend of the Mean Meridional Circulation in pressure and Θ coordinates (1957-2012)
    2. Tropical structure and dynamics of the Madden-Julian-Oscillation (MJO). For example, what is the contribution of the meridional circulation to the MJO; does the traditional view of the MJO occurring only in the zonal/pressure plane need to be modified?
    3. Extra-tropical responses to the MJO on intra-seasonal time scales. What are the mechanisms for the upper level rotational response in mid-latitudes to the MJO convection?
    4. Extra-tropical circulations which may stimulate the MJO on intra-seasonal time scales. What are the mechanisms?
    5. Midwinter suppression of baroclinic wave activity in the Pacific: What are the mechanisms?
  2. Ensemble Forecasts from ECMWF Coupled Model (MINERVA)
    1. ENSO-Forced Midlatitude Response: What are the mechanisms coupling tropical SST with extra-tropical circulation. How do the storm tracks (baroclinic activity) modulate this response?
    2. Tropical SST - Indian Summer Monsoon connection. How do both the SSTs and three-dimensional ocean circulation affect the Monsoon? How realistic is the coupled model? What is the relative importance of the Pacific and Indian Oceans?

Project Data sets (corresponding to Suggested Topics)

  1. Observational: Based on Reanalysis Only
    • Mean Meridional Circulation project: Monthly mean ERA40 reanalysis (1979-2019) and ERA-Interim reanalysis (1979-2012)
    • MJO projects: Daily ERA-Interim reanalysis MJO multivariate MJO Index: MJO mulitvariate MJO Index and note the link to the actual daily values
    • Mid-winter suppression project: Daily ERA-Interim reanalysis and synoptic wave fields provided by Dr. Straus
  2. Ensemble Forecasts from ECMWF Coupled Model (MINERVA)
    1. Monthly mean data from ECMWF coupled model forecasts; May and Nov starts; 1980-2011; 51 ensemble members