Observation of 3–6-Day Meridional Wind Oscillations over the Tropical Pacific, 1973–1992: Vertical Structure and Interannual Variability

Abstract

Rawinsonde data from tropical Pacific stations were examined for westward-propagating 3?6-day meridional wind oscillations in the troposphere and lower stratosphere, 1973?1992. Four types were identified from cross- spectrum and principal component analysis. 1) The dominant oscillation, near 250 mb, had a period slightly greater than 5 days, zonal wavenumber 4?6, and modified Rossby-gravity structure near the date line. 2) In the western Pacific lower troposphere there was broadband activity with short zonal scale, coupled to upper- tropospheric waves in NH summer. 3) In the central Pacific, during NH autumn, there was a well-defined ?4½-day oscillation with maximum amplitude in the lower troposphere and baroclinic phase tilt above. The vertical structure suggested coupling to deep tropical convection; this interpretation was supported by correlation of meridional wind with antisymmetric outgoing longwave radiation. 4) In the stratosphere, Rossby-gravity waves had periods ≤4 days and zonal wavenumber 3-4. Unlike tropospheric waves, these disturbances were coherent in a shallow layer, largest in west phase of QBO and annual cycle (NH winter-spring).