INDIAN OCEAN DIPOLE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ENSO MODE^*

Near 100-year observed data sets are analyzed, and the results show that the variation of sea surface temperature(SST)in the equatorial Indian Ocean has a feature as a dipole oscillation.The situation of the dipole oscillation mainly shows the positive phase pattern(higher SST in the west and lower SST in the east than normal)and the negative phase pattern(higher SST in the east and lower SST in the west).The amplitude of the positive phase is larger than that of the negative phase.The dipole is stronger in September—November and weaker in January—April than in other months.It principally shows obviously inter-annual(4—5 year period)and inter-decadal variation(25—30 year period).Although the Indian Ocean dipole in the individual year seems to be independent of ENSO in the equatorial Pacific Ocean,in general,the Indian Ocean dipole has obviously negative correlation with the Pacific Ocean "dipole"(similar to the inverse phase of ENSO).The atmospheric zonal(Walker) circulation is fundamental for relating the two dipoles to each other.