A spatiotemporal oscillator model for ENSO

Abstract: A spatiotemporal oscillator model for El Ni~no/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is constructed based on the sea surface temperature (SST) and thermocline depth dynamics. The model is enclosed by introducing a proportional relationship between the gradient in SST and the oceanic zonal current and can be transformed into a standard wave equation that can be decomposed into a series of eigenmodes by cosine series expansion. Each eigenmode shows a spatial mode that oscillates with a natural frequency. The first spatial mode, that highlights SST anomaly (SSTA) contrast in the eastern and western Pacific, the basic characteristics of the eastern Pacific (EP) El Ni~no, oscillates with a natural period of around 4.3 years, consistent with the quasi-quadrennial (QQ) mode. The second spatial mode, that emphasizes SSTA contrast between the central and the eastern, western Pacific, the basic spatial structure of the central Pacific (CP) El Ni~no, oscillates with a natural period of 2.3 years that is half of the first natural period, also consistent with the quasi-biennial (QB) modes. The combinations of the first two eigenmodes with different weights can feature complex SSTA patterns with complex temporal variations. In open ocean that is far away from the coastlines, the model can predict waves propagating both eastward and westward. Besides, the net surface heating further complicates the temporal variations by exerting forced frequencies. The model unifies the temporal and spatial variations and may provide a comprehensive viewpoint for understanding the complex spatiotemporal variations of ENSO.