Journal Article

Why Is Decadal Climate Variability Predominantly Observed in the Niño4 Region?

Tseng, Yu‐Heng, San, Sieu‐Cuong, Di Lorenzo, Emanuele, Ding, Ruiqiang

2024

Overview

This study investigates why observed decadal‐scale climate variability is predominantly pronounced in the Niño4 region compared to other equatorial Pacific areas using both observation and model sensitivity experiments. The initial shift to the negative phase of Tropical Pacific Decadal Variability (TPDV) is primarily driven by the upward and eastward migration of isopycnal negative temperature anomalies along the equator. Subsequently, the wind fields associated with the negative phase of the Pacific Meridional Mode (PMM) induce anomalous vertical currents in the equatorial Pacific. This leads to anomalous upwelling and downwelling of mean temperature in the Niño4 and Niño3 regions, respectively, thereby strengthening and weakening the corresponding subsurface‐produced sea surface temperature anomalies. Our findings clarify the roles of subsurface temperature anomalies in the phase reversal of TPDV and PMM in amplifying decadal variance, specifically in the equatorial central Pacific. Plain Language Summary Observations have consistently highlighted prominent decadal climate variability in the Niño4 region, yet the underlying cause of this distinct pattern remains largely elusive. In this study, we use composite analysis during the phase transition of Tropical Pacific Decadal Variability (TPDV) and modeling experiments to elucidate the mechanisms governing the observed decadal climate variability in the Niño4 region compared to other equatorial areas. Our findings reveal that the eastward and upward propagation of negative subsurface temperature anomalies primarily drives the phase reversal of TPDV. Following this transition from positive to negative phase, the Pacific Meridional Mode (PMM) plays a crucial role. Specifically, PMM‐associated wind forcing induces anomalous upwelling and downwelling in the Niño4 and Niño3 regions, respectively. This results in anomalous vertical advection of mean temperature, contributing to the strengthening and weakening of decadal variances in these regions. Key Points Subsurface temperature anomalies initiate the phase reversal of TPDV while PMM plays a key role in equatorial SSTAs post‐transition Vertical heat advection is crucial in reinforcing/weakening decadal variance in the Niño4/Niño3 region PMM‐associated wind fields induce anomalous vertical advection after the TPDV phase transition

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,Wiley
• Subject: Advection / Anomalies / anomalous vertical advection / Climate / Climate models / Climate variability / Downwelling / Equatorial regions / Mean / Mean temperatures / Ocean circulation / pacific meridional mode / Pattern analysis / Phase transitions / Propagation modes / Sea currents / Sea surface temperature / Sea surface temperature anomalies / Strengthening / subsurface temperature anomalies / Temperature anomalies / TPDV phase transition / tropical pacific decadal variability / Upwelling / Variability / Vertical advection / Vertical currents / vertical heat advection / Wind / Wind fields