Impacts of the Madden–Julian Oscillation on the Summer South China Sea Ocean Circulation and Temperature

AbstractThe present study investigates the impact of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on the South China Sea (SCS) in summer with three types of models: a theoretical Sverdrup model, a 1.5-layer reduced gravity model, and a regional ocean model [Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS)]. Results show that the ocean circulation in the SCS has an intraseasonal oscillation responding to the MJO. During its westerly phase, the MJO produces positive (negative) wind stress curl over the northern (southern) SCS and thus induces an enhanced cyclonic (anticyclonic) circulation in the northern (southern) SCS. This not only cools sea surface temperature (SST) but also decreases (increases) subsurface temperature in the northern (southern) SCS. During its easterly phase, the MJO basically produces a reversed but weaker influence on SCS ocean circulation and temperature. Thus, the MJO can have an imprint on the summer climatology of SCS circulation and temperature. The authors' analysis further indicates that the MJO'...