The MJO's effect on the Surf Coast
Nice Craig. Not to undermine, I thought the MJO single strength and location, and the impact on possible swell production was fairly well understood. Or am I missing something here?
Interesting. I'd oblivious oversimplified. Typical layman.
Nice one Craigos. Cheers.
Craig. Thank you for your always impressive work and information, your knowledge imparted to us is gold.
I really enjoy reading and understanding them all.
I hope your little loved one and your partner are doing fine. AW
Yeah agree with that AW
Hello Craig
Great work , Sherlock Holmes !
Looks like U have added a lovely Teleconnection , 2 your Forecasting Tool Box .
U are the Man , when it comes 2 finding Surf !
Any idea how the MJO , is reacting 2 the Climate Driving , CO2 ?
Perhaps , way 2 early 2 tell , as it's History , is just emerging ?
I have No idea and will read your post , 4 a 4th time :)) .
As more research is conducted regarding climate drivers and the teleconnections they create across hemispheres and ocean basins, this one interests me the most.
There is a strong correlation between an active MJO signal in the Western Pacific Ocean (sectors 6/7 in the below MJO plot) and an increase in the upper zonal winds across south-east Australia, ie increased frontal activity potential = swell.
That being the large convection profile of the MJO during our winter/spring (when it is in the Northern Hemisphere) forces a planetary wave which in turn brings increased cold outbreaks and frontal activity to the south-east of Australia (blue oval across Australia in the below chart).
This first chart shows the current MJO position and phase, as you can see it's currently strong in sectors 6/7.
The second chart shows the typical atmospheric response during Aug/Oct/Sept when the MJO is in certain sectors.
When in 6/7 (Western Pacific) we see heightened potential for cold outbreaks and frontal activity for the south-east of the country. Alternatively we see suppressed activity when it is in sectors 1/2 (across Africa).
The current setup being a text book example.
We've got an active MJO signal across sectors 6/7 and the response in the Southern Ocean is clear with strengthening, back to back storms pushing up and across the south-east.
This correlation is strongest during winter/spring and less so through summer/autumn as noted in this study.. https://research.usq.edu.au/download/e8d75c49188ac65e1aec47b950fa30a4b17...
But I've found the correlation to exist through summer as well, though more research has to be undertaken.
Take home point, when the MJO has strength across sectors 6/7 expect strong frontal activity across South Australia/Victoria.