Underestimated responses of Walker circulation to ENSO-related SST anomaly in atmospheric and coupled models

Abstract The Pacific Walker circulation (WC) is a major component of the global climate system. It connects sea surface temperature (SST) variability to variabilities from other ocean basins mid- and high latitudes. Previous studies indicated that ENSO-related atmospheric feedback, in particular, wind response largely underestimated AMIP CMIP models. In this study, we further investigate responses WC stream function level pressure (SLP) SST by comparing 45 63 models six reanalysis datasets. We reveal diversity performances simulated SLP between different While El Niño-related are well most coupled models, these AMIP5/6 capture ~ 75% those reanalysis, whereas CMIP5/6 58% responses. Further analysis indicates could be partially attributed biases precipitation scheme both as patterns One should pay special attention when studying or tropical atmosphere–ocean interactions using numerical