On the ratio noise-signal of long-periodic oscillations in the general atmospheric circulation

Summary Characteristic features of long-periodic oscillations in the general atmospheric circulation may be deduced from the correlation existing between the monthly, the three-monthly, the six-monthly and the twelve-monthly figures of the barometric pressure at two distant stations and from the autocorrelation of the same figures at each station.It is shown that the monthly figures of the barometric pressure at Easter Island and those at Djakarta during the six years 1950–1955 have, when plotted as a function of time, one oscillation in common, whereas further these figures have both their own rhythms and their own noise. The period of the common oscillation is 28.6 months, while the phase difference between both stations amounts to 180°. The r.m.s. value of the noise is 0.76 times the value of the amplitude of the oscillation. The rhythms differ in wave length, amplitude and phase.It is also shown that the monthly figures of the barometric pressure at Ponta Delgada and those at Stykkisholm have, when plotted as a function of time, a whole spectrum of oscillations jointly, while all oscillations have the same phase difference (238°) between both stations. These features are deduced from observations during 40 years (1896–1915 and 1921–1940). If yearly figures are used instead of monthly ones, then the greater part of the spectrum of oscillations is smoothed away and only a few common oscillations are left. The first common oscillation has a wave length of 26.5 months and the second one has a wave length of 38.7 months.