The Southern Oscillation. Part VI: Anomalies of Sea Level Pressure on the Southern Hemisphere and of Pacific Sea Surface Temperature during the Development of a Warm Event

Abstract

The paper shows the discrete, mean three-month anomalies of sea level pressure on the Southern Hemisphere during the year before and the year of a Warm Event in the Southern Oscillation, together with associated anomalies of sea surface temperature in the South Pacific 0cean. The two sets anomalies develop in a parallel and physically logical sequence over the South Pacific Ocean in conjunction with changes in the South Pacific Convergence Zone. Nearly all of the Southern Hemisphere responds to the Southern Oscillation, but the response is largest in the Australia-South Pacific sector. Large anomalies of sea level pressure form well ahead of any on the Northern Hemisphere, and this observation together with the conspicuous anomalies in the region of Australia and the South Pacific suggest that the origin of the Southern Oscillation must be sought in this region.