loading page

Influence of The Madden-Julian Oscillation on Continental United States Hurricane Landfalls
  • +4
  • Philip J Klotzbach,
  • Carl Schreck,
  • Gilbert P. Compo,
  • Kimberly M. Wood,
  • Eric Oliver,
  • Steven G. Bowen,
  • Michael Bell
Philip J Klotzbach
Colorado State University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Carl Schreck
North Carolina State University,North Carolina State University,North Carolina State University
Author Profile
Gilbert P. Compo
University of Colorado Boulder
Author Profile
Kimberly M. Wood
Mississippi State University
Author Profile
Eric Oliver
Dalhousie University
Author Profile
Steven G. Bowen
Aon
Author Profile
Michael Bell
Colorado State University
Author Profile

Abstract

The Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) significantly impacts North Atlantic hurricanes, with more hurricane activity occurring when the MJO favors enhanced convection over Africa and the tropical Indian Ocean and suppressed hurricane activity occurring when the MJO favors enhanced convection over the tropical Pacific. Using data from 1905-2015, we find more hurricanes make landfall in the continental US when the MJO enhances convection over the tropical Indian Ocean. In addition, when the MJO enhances convection over the Western Hemisphere, tropical cyclones tend to form in the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean, leading to more Gulf Coast landfalls. As the MJO moves to the Indian Ocean, more storms form in the tropical Atlantic, increasing the number of Florida and East Coast landfalls. The MJO’s modulation of tropical cyclone steering winds appears to be secondary to its effects on genesis locations.