A Moist Linear Baroclinic Model: Coupled Dynamical–Convective Response to El Niño

A newly developed, linear baroclinic model (LBM) and its application to the tropical ENSO teleconnection is described. The model, based on primitive equations linearized about the observed, zonally varying basic state in northern winter, involves linear schemes for the cumulus convection, and surface sensible and latent heat fluxes, referred to as the moist LBM. This enables us to solve a steady-state response of the coupled dynamicalconvective system to a given SST anomaly, which is fairly different from the conventional dry LBM. Linear representation of the convection is acceptable for a realistic range of SST anomalies, reproducing well the Rossby wave train computed in the conventional LBM forced by a tropical heating.