Impacts of the Madden Julian Oscillation on Precipitation Extremes in Indonesia

TL;DR

This study investigates how the Madden Julian Oscillation influences extreme rainfall events in Indonesia, revealing significant regional variations and potential for improved predictability of such extremes.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of MJO's impact on precipitation extremes in Indonesia using extensive observational data, highlighting regional differences and underlying mechanisms.

Findings

MJO significantly modulates extreme precipitation frequency in Indonesia.

Impact magnitude varies across regions, up to 70% increase or 40% decrease.

Changes in moisture flux convergence explain regional differences.

Abstract

The influence of the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) on the precipitation extremes in Indonesia during the rainy season (October to April) has been evaluated using the daily station rain gauge data and the gridded Asian Precipitation Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Toward Evaluation of Water Resources (APHRODITE) from 1987 to 2017 for different phases of the MJO. The results show that MJO significantly modulates the frequency of extreme precipitation events in Indonesia, with the magnitude of the impact varying across regions. Specifically, the convectively active (suppressed) MJO increases (decreases) the probability of extreme precipitation events over the western and central parts of Indonesia by up to 70% (40%). In the eastern part of Indonesia, MJO increases (decreases) extreme precipitation probability by up to 50% (40%). We attribute the differences in the probability of extreme precipitation events to the changes in the horizontal moisture flux convergence induced by MJO. The results indicate that the MJO provides the source of predictability of daily extreme precipitation in Indonesia.