Annual climate key to predicting tropical Pacific weather patterns accurately.
The researchers used a computer model to study how the average climate affects the weather patterns in the tropical Pacific Ocean. They ran different experiments and found that having a realistic average climate helps the model accurately simulate both short-term and long-term changes in the region. The model also showed different ways in which the El Niño and La Niña events can develop. This study highlights the importance of understanding the average climate for predicting seasonal and yearly variations in the tropical Pacific.
