Monitoring the MJO this summer
/Much of our moisture originates from the tropics this time of year. The chart below shows the MJO active in Phase 7 out in the Western Pacific Ocean. Models are anticipating the MJO to run out of steam and go back into its shell for the remainder of February and have little or no influence on our climate.
The Madden – Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a tropical disturbance that moves eastward around the global tropics every 30-60 days and has proven to influence rainfall and temperature conditions. The strength of the MJO may increase or decrease as it progresses eastwards, affecting the level of convection and influence on both precipitation and temperature. The diagram below is used by scientists to track the path of the MJO showing predicted dates through various phases (see December MJO explainer). A short YouTube cartoon explaining the MJO can be found here
