Abstract
The Southern Oscillation (SO) exhibits persistence which can be explained by positive feedback between ocean and atmosphere1. The persistence exhibits an annual cycle, being weakest in the northern winter and spring. Analysis of a marine data set shows that sea surface temperature (SST) in the equatorial east Pacific is positively correlated with cloudiness in the northern winter but not in the summer and autumn. Because increased cloudiness favours a reduction in net incoming radiation, the relationship implies a reduced positive feedback on the SST in winter. I show here that this seasonal variation of the cloudiness feedback could be the main cause of the seasonal variation in persistence.
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Wright, P. Possible role of cloudiness in the persistence of the Southern Oscillation. Nature 310, 128–130 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/310128a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/310128a0
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