Decadal-timescale changes of the Atlantic overturning circulation and climate in a coupled climate model with a hybrid-coordinate ocean component

Persechino, A.; Marsh, R.; Sinha, B.; Megann, A.P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0975-6317; Blaker, A.T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5454-0131; New, A.L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3159-8872. 2012 Decadal-timescale changes of the Atlantic overturning circulation and climate in a coupled climate model with a hybrid-coordinate ocean component. Climate Dynamics, 39 (3-4). 1021-1042. 10.1007/s00382-012-1432-y

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Abstract/Summary

A wide range of statistical tools is used to investigate the decadal variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and associated key variables in a climate model (CHIME, Coupled Hadley-Isopycnic Model Experiment), which features a novel ocean component. CHIME is as similar as possible to the 3rd Hadley Centre Coupled Model (HadCM3) with the important exception that its ocean component is based on a hybrid vertical coordinate. Power spectral analysis reveals enhanced AMOC variability for periods in the range 15–30 years. Strong AMOC conditions are associated with: (1) a Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomaly pattern reminiscent of the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO) response, but associated with variations in a northern tropical-subtropical gradient; (2) a Surface Air Temperature anomaly pattern closely linked to SST; (3) a positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)-like pattern; (4) a northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. The primary mode of AMOC variability is associated with decadal changes in the Labrador Sea and the Greenland Iceland Norwegian (GIN) Seas, in both cases linked to the tropical activity about 15 years earlier. These decadal changes are controlled by the low-frequency NAO that may be associated with a rapid atmospheric teleconnection from the tropics to the extratropics. Poleward advection of salinity anomalies in the mixed layer also leads to AMOC changes that are linked to processes in the Labrador Sea. A secondary mode of AMOC variability is associated with interannual changes in the Labrador and GIN Seas, through the impact of the NAO on local surface density.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s00382-012-1432-y
Programmes:	NOC Programmes
ISSN:	09307575
Additional Keywords:	Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation; North Atlantic Oscillation; Coupled climate model; Isopycnal; Decadal variability
Date made live:	13 Sep 2012 09:40 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/442786

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1007/s00382-012-1432-y

Programmes:

NOC Programmes

ISSN:

09307575

Additional Keywords:

Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation; North Atlantic Oscillation; Coupled climate model; Isopycnal; Decadal variability

Date made live:

13 Sep 2012 09:40 +0 (UTC)