The Madden Julian Oscillation: a literature review

Abstract

The literature survey reviews our present understanding of the Madden Julian Oscillation. This perturbation to the circulation of the tropical atmosphere involves anomalies in climate elements such as pressure, wind, outgoing long wave radiation, and temperature. It is successfully simulated by the present generation of general climate and atmospheric general circulation models. The literature reviewed describes the discovery of the Madden Julian Oscillation, its interaction with the ocean is appraised and current monitoring indices and prediction schemes are reviewed. There is evidence that the Madden Julian Oscillation plays a crucial role in contributing to Australia’s non-seasonal climate variability, which is largest in eastern Queensland. Its impact upon rainfall variability in Queensland is not fully appreciated. The possible application of current prediction schemes may lead to significant economic benefits for the state.