Climate modes, also known as modes of climate variability, are typically large scale patterns in the atmosphere and oceans that fluctuate somewhat regularly over time, and provide some predicability at a sub-seasonal to seasonal time scale. They are typically monitored or analyzed using indices that are calculated to give a quick indication of the state the mode is in. The most well known of these is the El Nino Southern Oscillation. Here we focus on the Subtropical Indian Ocean Dipole, which is associated with rainfall patterns in southern Africa.
This map shows the latest monthly Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) produced, using OISST data. The grey boxes seen in the southern Indian Ocean (west of Madagscar) show the ocean areas monitored for tracking the SIOD.
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