Non-Linear Response of the Extratropics to Tropical Climate Variability

Abstract

There are established El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) teleconnections to the extratropics that alter the strength of the polar vortex. Here, we demonstrate non-linearity in the stratospheric polar vortex response to ENSO and QBO combined, in climate model simulations and observational data. We show that the combined effect of El Niño and QBO easterly phase (QBO-E) on the polar vortex is greater than the linear combination of the individual responses to El Niño and QBO-E separately. Observations support the model results, despite a relatively small sample of observed cases. We propose that non-linearity in the teleconnection to ENSO and QBO is caused by the combined effects of an increase in wave driving from El Niño and more poleward propagation of wave activity during QBO-E. Our results have implications for extreme winters when both El Niño and QBO-E are active.