A Comparison of the Madden-Julian Oscillation Simulated by Different Versions of the MIROC Climate Model

A pair of 20-year simulations by two different versions of MIROC (Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate) was examined by using a standardized set of Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) diagnostics. One of the major differences between version 4 (MIROC4) and version 5 (MIROC5) of MIROC is the cumulus parameterization scheme. MIROC4 uses a prognostic Arakawa-Schubert scheme, whereas MIROC5 uses the Chikira scheme. MIROC5 reproduced the MJO better than MIROC4: a stronger signal in the wavenumber-frequency diagram, a slower and more noticeable eastward movement in the lag-correlation plot, and a better phase relationship between outgoing longwave radiation and zonal winds. To investigate the impact of mid-tropospheric humidity on cumulus development in MIROC5, the atmosphere-only version of MIROC5 was used for a series of sensitivity runs, each with different entrainment parameter values. The entrainment parameter settings significantly influenced the simulated MJO. Largescale cloud systems tended to move westward with smaller entrainment parameter values, accompanied by a pair of rotations with quasi-symmetry about the equator in the lower troposphere, whereas eastward movements were faster, with larger entrainment parameter values.