Spatial distribution of spectral SST oscillations over the equatorial pacific in the period 1888-2014

Author(s)

Silva, Carlos Batista ^[1] ; Silva, Maria Elisa Siqueira ^[1] ; Ambrizzi, Tercio ^[2] ; Patucci, Natalia Nunes ^[1] ; Lima, Bruna Simoes ^[1] ; Correa, Wesley Campos ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Philosophy Letters & Human Sci, Dept Geog, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Astron Geophys & Atmospher Sci, Dept Atmospher Sci, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fed Univ Espirito Santo, Ctr Human & Nat Sci, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY; v. 41, n. 7, p. 3841-3864, JUN 15 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This study identified and analysed the spatial and temporal patterns of spectral oscillation ranges of the monthly sea surface temperature, SST, over the tropical Pacific region, from 1888 to 2014, through wavelet analysis. The strategic steps considered the variance analysis, obtained from the wavelet computation, for each single grid point instead of the analysis of a spatial mean variance, as is commonly done, allowing us to visualize the spatial distribution of SST variance during different time periods. The mean results indicate that lower-frequency oscillations (2-4 and 4-8 years) over the considered area are becoming more intense while higher-frequency oscillations (1-12 months) are becoming less intense through time, which can lead to more persistent climates around the globe. While the 1-2 year oscillations feature the highest positive trend along the equatorial belt over central and eastern locations, the 4-8 year oscillations feature the strongest signal closer to the western South American coast, and the 2-4 year oscillations present positive signals over areas closer to the continental coast and over more distant western locations intercalated by negative signals. Throughout time, the position of the highest EN signals occurs either over central or eastern areas of the equatorial Pacific. The SST variance in the Nino areas mainly oscillates within the 2-4 and 4-8 year spectral ranges. Nino1 + 2 and Nino3 regions, in opposition to Nino3 and Nino3 + 4 regions, present the highest SST variance values for the four considered spectral ranges. The strongest El Nino events present their main oscillations in the 2-4 and 4-8 year spectral ranges, especially in the Nino1 + 2 and Nino3 regions, while weaker El Nino events show more association with the 1-2 year spectral range. Although there are some patterns identified for distinct El Nino/Southern Oscillation, ENSO, intensities and the associated frequency oscillations, the distinct spatial spectral energy distribution over the equatorial areas suggests the importance of the spatial distribution of the spectral energy through time in order to better characterize the ENSO events. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/06654-0 - GEOCHRONOLOGY FOR EVALUATION OF STREAM PIRACY PROCESSES: APPLICATION IN SEDIMENTS OF DRY VALLEYS OF GUARATUBA(SP).
• Grantee: Natália Nunes Patucci
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/50848-9 - INCT 2014: INCT for Climate Change
• Grantee: Jose Antonio Marengo Orsini
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/09308-9 - CLIMATIC IMPACT OVER SOUTH AMERICA CAUSED BY AMAZON DEFORESTATION DURING DISTINCT PACIFIC DECADAL OSCILLATION CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
• Grantee: Maria Elisa Siqueira Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/09659-6 - Interannual variability of the meridional transports across the SAMOC basin-wide array (SAMBAR)
• Grantee: Edmo José Dias Campos
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants