Extended Abstract (780K)P2.5
On the relationship between very low frequency North Pacific SSTA and global climate variations
Sang-Wook Yeh, COLA, Calverton, MD; and B. P. Kirtman
We explore the characteristics of very low frequency North Pacific sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) along with its relationship to global climate variations in both observations and a coupled model simulation. A North Pacific mode, based on a region of maximum SSTA variance, is defined. This North Pacific mode differs from the classical Pacific decadal oscillation. The Pacific decadal oscillation has a large tropical structure, whereas the North Pacific mode has little association with tropical decadal variability. The coupled model results show that the North Pacific mode can be detected in global mean surface temperature variations on low frequency timescales. The North Pacific mode shows little association of variability over the tropics, however, it is well correlated with variability at all longitudes between 30~60 degrees latitude in the Northern and, remarkably, the Southern Hemisphere. Based on these results, we argue that interpreting global climate change projections requires understanding of this North Pacific mode and its global teleconnections.
Poster Session 2, Atmospheric Oscillations and Boundary Layer Processes (Hall 4AB)
Wednesday, 14 January 2004, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Hall 4AB
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