Harnik Nili author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Seager Richard author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Naik Naomi H. author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Cane Mark A. author Columbia University. Earth and Environmental Sciences Columbia University. Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics Ting Mingfang author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Columbia University. Earth and Environmental Sciences Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory originator text Articles 2010 manuscript version English The midlatitude response to tropical Pacific SST anomalies involves changes in transient eddy propagation, but the processes leading to the transient eddy changes are still not clear. In a recent study, we used a series of controlled general circulation model (GCM) experiments in which an imposed tropical Pacific sea-surface temperature (SST) anomaly is turned on abruptly and the response is analyzed in terms of its high- and low-frequency parts, to show that the changes in transient eddies induced by El Niņo Southern Oscillation (ENSO) arise from changes in wave refraction on the altered mean flow. In this work, we use a quasi-geostrophic linear model and a linear stationary wave model, to interpret the GCM experiments and obtain the sequence of events that lead from a tropical SST anomaly to the quasi-equilibrium change in the mean and transient atmospheric circulation. The initial direct response of the mean flow is confined to the tropical and subtropical Pacific, similar to what is obtained from a stationary wave model. This tropical–subtropical mean flow change initiates a transient eddy response, which induces a midlatitude mean flow anomaly. The wave–mean flow system evolves towards a state in which the eddy anomalies maintain the mean flow anomalies, allowing them to persist. It is further shown that, while eddy momentum fluxes persistently accelerate and decelerate the subtropical and midlatitude mean flow, the eddy heat flux effect on the zonal mean flow is much more variable, and only marginally significant. The linear quasi-geostrophic model calculations capture the evolution of eddy momentum flux anomalies equatorwards of 60°N quite well, suggesting linear wave refraction can explain the midlatitude ENSO anomalies. However, other processes, like stationary waves or changes in the nonlinear stage of eddy life cycles, are needed to explain the ENSO-related anomalies at high latitudes, polewards of around 60°N. Environmental science 136 653 2132 2146 2010-10 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/qj.688 http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:10550 NNC NNC 2011-06-20 10:15:18 -0400 2012-07-31 12:09:50 -0400 4497 eng