Unprecedented atmospheric behavior disrupts one of Earth's most regular climate cycles
A team of scientists has discovered an unexpected disruption in one of the most repeatable atmospheric patterns
- Date:
- September 8, 2016
- Source:
- Natural Environment Research Council
- Summary:
- A team of scientists has discovered an unexpected disruption in one of the most repeatable atmospheric patterns.
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The normal flow of air high up in the atmosphere over the equator, known as the quasi-biennial oscillation, was seen to break down earlier this year. These stratospheric winds are found high above the tropics, their direction and strength changes in a regular two- to three-year cycle which provides forecasters with an indication of the weather to expect in Northern Europe. Westerly winds are known to increase the chance of warm and wet conditions, while easterlies bring drier and colder weather.
Scientists from NCAS at the University of Oxford and the Met Office were part of an international team that observed the unusual behaviour in February, noticing a reversal of the expected pattern in the winds. This same team then identified the reason why.
The quasi-biennial oscillation is a regular feature of the climate system. On average, these equatorial eastward and westward winds alternate every 28 to 29 months, making them very predictable in the long term. The team's findings published in Science this week, show that this unexpected change in wind direction was caused by atmospheric waves in the Northern Hemisphere.
Dr Scott Osprey, an NCAS scientist at the University of Oxford, said: "The recent disruption in the quasi-biennial oscillation was not predicted, not even one month ahead. If we can get to the bottom of why the normal pattern was affected in this way, we could develop more confidence in our future seasonal forecasts."
Prof Adam Scaife, Head of Long-range Forecasting at the Met Office and Honorary Visiting Professor at the University of Exeter, said: "This unexpected disruption to the climate system switches the cycling of the quasi-biennial oscillation forever. And this is important as it is one of the factors that will influence the coming winter."
A return to more typical behaviour within the next year is forecast, though scientists believe that the quasi-biennial oscillation could become more susceptible to similar disruptions as the climate warms.
Later this month international research groups will meet in Oxford to discuss the origins and implications of this event.
Key facts
- In February 2016 the quasi-biennial oscillation, a regular feature of the climate system, broke down from its regular pattern.
- The eastward winds in the upper atmosphere unexpectedly reversed to a westward direction
- Seasonal forecasts did not predict the disruption, despite the quasi-biennial oscillation being the most predictable long term atmospheric variation after the annual cycle
- The quasi-biennial oscillation varies every 28 to 29 months on average, and has known impacts on surface weather and climate
- As the climate warms in future, similar disruptions to the quasi-biennial oscillation could become more frequent
Story Source:
Materials provided by Natural Environment Research Council. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Scott M. Osprey, Neal Butchart, Jeff R. Knight, Adam A. Scaife, Kevin Hamilton, James A. Anstey, Verena Schenzinger, Chunxi Zhang. An unexpected disruption of the atmospheric Quasi-Biennial Oscillation. Science, 2016 DOI: 10.1126/science.aah4156
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