Meteorological Aspects of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation

• DOI: 10.1126/science.222.4629.1195
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T18:37:18Z
• Authors: Eugene M. Rasmusson; John M. Wallace
• Keywords: Oscillation (cell signaling); Atmospheric Circulation; Walker circulation

The single most prominent signal in year-to-year climate variability is the Southern Oscillation, which associated with fluctuations atmospheric pressure at sea level tropics, monsoon rainfall, and wintertime circulation over North America other parts of extratropics. Although meteorologists have known about Oscillation for more than a half-century, its relation to oceanic El Niño phenomenon was not recognized until late 1960's, theoretical understanding these relations has begun emerge only during past few years. 18 months been characterized by what probably pronounced certainly best-documented Niño/Southern episode century. In this review meteorological aspects time history 1982-1983 are described compared composite based on six previous events between 1950 1975, impact new observations interpretations event discussed.