An investigation of the ocean’s role in Atlantic multidecadal variability

A mechanistic understanding of the Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) is highly desirable since it will considerably aid regional and global climate predictions. Although ocean dynamics have long been invoked to explain the AMV, recent studies have cast doubt on its influence. Here we evaluate the necessity of ocean dynamics for the AMV using an observationally based idealized model that isolates the contribution of atmospheric forcing to the AMV. By demonstrating that this model underestimates the magnitude of the observed sea surface temperature variability in the extratropical North Atlantic, we infer that ocean dynamics contribute significantly to the AMV in this region. This inference holds when we add anthropogenic aerosol forcing and the effects of mixed layer depth variability to the idealized model. Thus, our study suggests that ocean heat transport convergence is needed to explain sea surface temperature variability in the extratropical North Atlantic. Sustained ocean observing systems in the this region will help untangle the physical mechanisms involved.

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Work Title An investigation of the ocean’s role in Atlantic multidecadal variability
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Open Access
Creators
  1. Laifang Li
  2. M. Susan Lozier
  3. Martha W. Buckley
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Journal of Climate
Publication Date March 1, 2020
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-19-0236.1
Deposited December 11, 2023

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Added _15200442_-_Journal_of_Climate__An_Investigation_of_the_Ocean_s_Role_in_Atlantic_Multidecadal_Variability-1.pdf
  • Added Creator Laifang Li
  • Added Creator M. Susan Lozier
  • Added Creator Martha W. Buckley
  • Published
  • Updated Publication Date Show Changes
    Publication Date
    • 2020-04-15
    • 2020-03-01
  • Updated