During the winter of 2014 and 2015, the US west coast (USWC) experienced record high temperatures extending from Baja California to the Gulf of Alaska. This record warming, as high as 3°C in some areas, greatly impacted the California Current System (CCS) and Gulf of Alaska marine ecosystems. However, tropical Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies were weak during 2014, calling into question their role in the USWC warming period.

The MAPP-funded study finds that ENSO, PDO, and other sources of abnormal sea surface temperatures serve as predictors for U.S. seasonal mean precipitation and that these sources change seasonally and decadally.

Research led by MAPP supported PI, Dr. Suzana Camargo, examined the impact of volcanic aerosols on recent global tropical cyclone activity in observations, reanalysis, and models (including the CMIP5 multi-model). 

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is responsible for major shifts in tropical weather on weekly and monthly timescales with impacts around the earth.

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