Quasi-Biennial and Quasi-Triennial Oscillations in some atmospheric parameters

A spectral analysis of the 12-month running averages of several atmospheric parameters for 40 years (1951–1990) indicated prominent QBO (Quasi-Biennial Oscillations) and QTO (Quasi-Triennial Oscillations). The 50 mb tropical wind has a very prominent QBO peak atT=2.33 years, which was well reflected in N. Pole 30 mb temperature but not in average surface air temperatures of Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The 50 mb wind had no prominent QTO; but sea-surface temperatures showed prominent QTO at 3.6 years as well as peaks at 4.8 years (also shown by N. Pole 30 mb temperature) which matched very well with similar peaks in the Pacific SST and SO (Southern Oscillation) index. Specific humidity in the lower troposphere (1000 and 700 mb) and temperature at 300 mb obtained by radiosondes in the western Pacific for 15 years (1974–1988) showed mainly a biennial oscillation.