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arXiv · 1708.05581

The episode of Quasi-Biennial Oscillation in 2016 did not have its roots in its distant past; the role of the strong El Ni\~no event

Costas A. Varotsos·Nikos V. Sarlis·Maria Efstathiou
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Abstract

We explore the anomalous behavior of the equatorial quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in zonal wind which it exhibited, since February 2016. In more detail, QBO interrupted its regular pattern and the eastward stratospheric winds unexpectedly reversed to a westward direction. We focus on the temporal evolution of the equatorial zonal wind in the altitude region 70 - 10 hPa, investigating particularly whether this unprecedented event could be considered as a result of scaling effect in the equatorial zonal wind. Furthermore, the link between the QBO abnormal behaviour in 2016 with the strong El Ni\~no event is investigated.

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Costas A. Varotsos, Nikos V. Sarlis, Maria Efstathiou. 2017-08-18. The episode of Quasi-Biennial Oscillation in 2016 did not have its roots in its distant past; the role of the strong El Ni\~no event. https://arxiv.org/abs/1708.05581

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