| Session Details | |
| Section | OS - Ocean Sciences |
| Session Title | Variability and Predictability of the Indo-pacific Warm Pool and Climate |
| Main Convener | Dr. Dongliang Yuan (Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China) |
| Co-convener(s) | Dr. Yukio Masumoto (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Japan) Dr. Steven Riser (University of Washington, United States) Prof. Wenju Cai (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Australia) |
| Session Description | The Pacific and Indian Ocean span over two-thirds of the global longitudinal domain. The variability of ocean in this part of the globe is of great importance to global climate variation and predictability. A significant part of the climate variability and predictability is associated with those of the Indo-Pacific warm pool. Within the Indo-Pacific, ENSO and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) are the strongest interannual modes of climate variability associated with the warm pool variability. Under global warming, warm pool and the associated interannual variabilities are subject to long term variations, which are believed to be controlled by tropical and extra-tropical exchanges. A number of field experiments have been implemented and designed to understand the processes that give rise to the variability and predictability of the Indo-Pacific climate. The fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), which will provide insight into natural and anthropogenic climate variability and climate predictability, is well underway. In this session, studies of ocean circulation and its effects on Indo-Pacific climate, on the Indo-Pacific warm pool and its role in long-term variations and predictability of ENSO and the IOD, and tropical-subtropical-Southern Ocean interactions and exchanges and their climatic effects are sought. Studies of the evaluation and dynamic analyses of the CMIP5 model simulations, their comparisons with observations for identifying model deficiencies and understanding key feedbacks are also encouraged. In addition, research on the effects of Indo-Pacific warming on the long term variations of the monsoon or typhoons and their feedback is welcome. |