The predictability study of the two flavors of ENSO in the CESM model from 1881 to 2017

In this study, we evaluated the predictability of the two flavors of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) based on a long-term retrospective prediction from 1881 to 2017 with the Community Earth System Model. Specifically, the Central-Pacific (CP) ENSO has a more obvious Spring Predictability Barrier and lower deterministic prediction skill than the Eastern-Pacific (EP) ENSO. The potential predictability declines with lead time for both the two flavors of ENSO, and the EP ENSO has a higher upper limit of the prediction skill as compared with the CP ENSO. The predictability of the two flavors of ENSO shows distinct interdecadal variation for both actual skill and potential predictability; however, their trends in the predictability are not synchronized. The signal component controls the seasonal and interdecadal variations of predictability for the two flavors of ENSO, and has larger contribution to the CP ENSO than the EP ENSO. There is significant scope for improvement in predicting the two flavors of ENSO, especially for the CP ENSO.

Automated summary

This study found that the Central-Pacific ENSO has a more obvious Spring Predictability Barrier and lower deterministic prediction skill, while the Eastern-Pacific ENSO has a higher upper limit of prediction skill. The predictability of the two flavors of ENSO shows distinct interdecadal variation but their predictability trends are not synchronized.