The MJO Precipitating Cloud Population over the Central Indian
Ocean as seen by the TRMM PRHannah C. Barnes
Robert A. Houze, Jr.
University of Washington
MJO Field Data and Science Workshop5 March 2013, Hapuna Beach Resort, Kohala Coast, Hawaii
Precipitating Cloud Population By Phase
Isolated, Shallow Echoes Deep Convective Cores Broad Stratiform Regions
Activ
eSu
ppre
ssed
Relationship Between Precipitating Cloud Population and Large-Scale Conditions
Pre-Active Active Post-Active
Phase 1 2 3 4DCC Peak Decrease
WCC, BSR Increase Peak Decrease
Mid-Level Relative
HumiditySharp
IncreaseSlower
Increase Peak Decrease
1000-750 hPa Shear Increase Peak
750-500 hPa Shear Increase Peak
Large-Scale Conditions
Solid lines = active, dashed = suppressed
Relative Humidity (%)
Pres
sure
(h
Pa)
81 2-3
4
Zonal Wind (ms-1)
12 3
4
MJO Phase
Large-Scale 1000-750 hPa Shear
ms-1
Frequency (%) ISE DCC WCC BSR
Shading = shear
magnitude
Number
MJO Phase
Large-Scale 750-500 hPa Shear
ms-1
Frequency (%) ISE DCC WCC BSR
Shading = shear
magnitude
Acknowledgements
• Funding• DOE DE-SC0001164 / ER-64752 and DE-SC0008452• DYNAMO – NSF AGS-1059611• PMM-NASA Grant NNX10AH70G