scholarly journals Spatial Pattern and Zonal Shift of the North Atlantic Oscillation. Part I: A Dynamical Interpretation

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 2805-2826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dehai Luo ◽  
Zhihui Zhu ◽  
Rongcai Ren ◽  
Linhao Zhong ◽  
Chunzai Wang
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Storm Track ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
Nao Pattern

Abstract This paper presents a possible dynamical explanation for why the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) pattern exhibits an eastward shift from the period 1958–77 (P1) to the period 1978–97 (P2) or 1998–2007 (P3). First, the empirical orthogonal function analysis of winter mean geopotential heights during P1, P2, and P3 reveals that the NAO dipole anomaly exhibits a northwest–southeast (NW–SE) tilting during P1 but a northeast–southwest (NE–SW) tilting during P2 and P3. The NAO pattern, especially its northern center, undergoes a more pronounced eastward shift from P1 to P2. The composite calculation of NAO events during P1 and P2 also indicates that the negative (positive) NAO phase dipole anomaly can indeed exhibit such a NW–SE (NE–SW) tilting. Second, a linear Rossby wave formula derived in a slowly varying basic flow with a meridional shear is used to qualitatively show that the zonal phase speed of the NAO dipole anomaly is larger (smaller) in higher latitudes and smaller (larger) in lower latitudes during the life cycle of the positive (negative) NAO phases because the core of the Atlantic jet is shifted to the north (south). Such a phase speed distribution tends to cause the different movement speeds of the NAO dipole anomaly at different latitudes, thus resulting in the different spatial tilting of the NAO dipole anomaly depending on the phase of the NAO. The zonal displacement of the northern center of the NAO pattern appears to be more pronounced because the change of the mean flow between two phases of the NAO is more distinct in higher latitudes than in lower latitudes. In addition, a weakly nonlinear analytical solution, based on the assumption of the scale separation between the NAO anomaly and transient synoptic-scale waves, is used to demonstrate that an eastward shift of the Atlantic storm-track eddy activity that is associated with the eastward extension of the Atlantic jet stream is a possible cause of the whole eastward shift of the center of action of the NAO pattern during P2/P3.

scholarly journals The North Atlantic Oscillation and the North Atlantic Jet Variability: Precursors to NAO Regimes and Transitions

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 3763-3787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dehai Luo ◽  
Jing Cha
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Zonal Wind ◽  
Storm Track ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Wind Condition ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
North Atlantic Jet

Abstract In this paper, precursors to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and its transitions are investigated to understand the dynamical cause of the interdecadal NAO variability from dominant negative (NAO−) events during 1950–77 (P1) to dominant positive (NAO+) events during 1978–2010 (P2). It is found that the phase of the NAO event depends strongly on the latitudinal position of the North Atlantic jet (NAJ) prior to the NAO onset. The NAO− (NAO+) events occur frequently when the NAJ core prior to the NAO onset is displaced southward (northward), as the situation within P1 (P2). Thus, the northward (southward) shift of the NAJ from its mean position is a precursor to the NAO+ (NAO−) event. This finding is further supported by results obtained from a weakly nonlinear model. Furthermore, the model results show that, when the Atlantic mean zonal wind exceeds a critical strength under which the dipole anomaly prior to the NAO onset is stationary, in situ NAO− (NAO+) events, which are events not preceded by opposite events, can occur frequently during P1 (P2) when the Atlantic storm track is not too strong. This mean zonal wind condition is easily satisfied during P1 and P2. However, when the Atlantic storm track (mean zonal wind) prior to the NAO onset is markedly intensified (weakened), the NAO event can undergo a transition from one phase to another, especially in a relatively strong background westerly wind, the Atlantic storm track has to be strong enough to produce a phase transition.

The Role of Extratropical Air–Sea Interaction in the Autumn Subseasonal Variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (22) ◽  
pp. 7697-7712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Nie ◽  
Hong-Li Ren ◽  
Yang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Gulf Stream ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
The North ◽  
Subseasonal Variability ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation

Abstract Considerable progress has been made in understanding the internal eddy–mean flow feedback in the subseasonal variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) during winter. Using daily atmospheric and oceanic reanalysis data, this study highlights the role of extratropical air–sea interaction in the NAO variability during autumn when the daily sea surface temperature (SST) variability is more active and eddy–mean flow interactions are still relevant. Our analysis shows that a horseshoe-like SST tripolar pattern in the North Atlantic Ocean, marked by a cold anomaly in the Gulf Stream and two warm anomalies to the south of the Gulf Stream and off the western coast of northern Europe, can induce a quasi-barotropic NAO-like atmospheric response through eddy-mediated processes. An initial southwest–northeast tripolar geopotential anomaly in the North Atlantic forces this horseshoe-like SST anomaly tripole. Then the SST anomalies, through surface heat flux exchange, alter the spatial patterns of the lower-tropospheric temperature and thus baroclinicity anomalies, which are manifested as the midlatitude baroclinicity shifted poleward and reduced baroclinicity poleward of 70°N. In response to such changes of the lower-level baroclinicity, anomalous synoptic eddy generation, eddy kinetic energy, and eddy momentum forcing in the midlatitudes all shift poleward. Meanwhile, the 10–30-day low-frequency anticyclonic wave activities in the high latitudes decrease significantly. We illustrate that both the latitudinal displacement of midlatitude synoptic eddy activities and intensity variation of high-latitude low-frequency wave activities contribute to inducing the NAO-like anomalies.

scholarly journals Impacts of the North Atlantic Oscillation on Winter Precipitations and Storm Track Variability in Southeast Canada and Northeast US

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Chartrand ◽  
Francesco Salvatore Rocco Pausata
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North America ◽  
North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Storm Track ◽  
The United States ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation

Abstract. The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) affects atmospheric variability from eastern North America to Europe. Although the link between the NAO and winter precipitations in the eastern North America have been the focus of previous work, only few studies have hitherto provided clear physical explanations on these relationships. In this study we revisit and extend the analysis of the effect of the NAO on winter precipitations over a large domain covering southeast Canada and the northeastern United States. Furthermore, here we use the recent ERA5 reanalysis dataset (1979–2018), which currently has the highest available horizontal resolution for a global reanalysis (0.25°), to track extratropical cyclones to delve into the physical processes behind the relationship between NAO and precipitation, snowfall, snowfall-to-precipitation ratio (S/P), and snow cover depth anomalies in the region. In particular, our results show that positive NAO phases are associated with less snowfall over a wide region covering Nova Scotia, New England and the Mid-Atlantic of the United States relative to negative NAO phases. Henceforth, a significant negative correlation is also seen between S/P and the NAO over this region. This is due to a decrease (increase) in cyclogenesis of coastal storms near the United States east coast during positive (negative) NAO phases, as well as a northward (southward) displacement of the mean storm track over North America.

Decadal Relationship between European Blocking and the North Atlantic Oscillation during 1978–2011. Part I: Atlantic Conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 1152-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dehai Luo ◽  
Yao Yao ◽  
Aiguo Dai
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Storm Track ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Atlantic Sector ◽  
The North ◽  
Nao Index ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation

Abstract Both the positive and negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO+ and NAO−, respectively) and atmospheric blocking in the Euro-Atlantic sector reflect synoptic variability over the region and thus are intrinsically linked. This study examines their relationship from a decadal change perspective. Since the winter-mean NAO index is defined as a time average of instantaneous NAO indices over the whole winter, it is unclear how the activity of European blocking (EB) events can be related to the variation of the positive mean NAO index. Here, this question is examined by dividing the winter period 1978–2011 into two decadal epochs: 1978–94 (P1) with an increasing and high NAO index and 1995–2011 (P2) with a decreasing and low NAO index. Using atmospheric reanalysis data, it is shown that there are more intense and persistent EB events in eastern Europe during P1 than during P2, while the opposite is true for western Europe. It is further shown that there are more NAO+ (NAO−) events during P1 (P2). The EB events associated with NAO+ events extend more eastward and are associated with stronger Atlantic mean zonal wind and weaker western Atlantic storm track during P1 than during P2, but EB events associated with NAO− events increase in western Europe under opposite Atlantic conditions during P2. Thus, the increase in the number of individual NAO+ (NAO−) events results in more EB events in eastern (western) Europe during P1 (P2). The EB change is also associated with the increased frequency of NAO− to NAO+ (NAO+ to NAO−) transition events.

Weather Regime Transitions and the Interannual Variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation. Part II: Dynamical Processes

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2347-2363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dehai Luo ◽  
Jing Cha ◽  
Steven B. Feldstein
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Storm Track ◽  
Constructive Interference ◽  
Dynamical Processes ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
Regime Transitions

Abstract In this study, attention is focused on identifying the dynamical processes that contribute to the negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)− to positive NAO (NAO+) and NAO+ to NAO− transitions that occur during 1978–90 (P1) and 1991–2008 (P2). By constructing Atlantic ridge (AR) and Scandinavian blocking (SBL) indices, the composite analysis demonstrates that in a stronger AR (SBL) winter NAO− (NAO+) event can more easily transition into an NAO+ (NAO−) event. Composites of 300-hPa geopotential height anomalies for the NAO− to NAO+ and NAO+ to NAO− transition events during P1 and P2 are calculated. It is shown for P2 (P1) that the NAO+ to SBL to NAO− (NAO− to AR to NAO+) transition results from the retrograde drift of an enhanced high-latitude, large-scale, positive (negative) anomaly over northern Europe during the decay of the previous NAO+ (NAO−) event. This finding cannot be detected for NAO events without transition. Moreover, it is found that the amplification of retrograding wavenumber 1 is more important for the NAO− to NAO+ transition during P1, but the marked reintensification and retrograde movement of both wavenumbers 1 and 2 after the NAO+ event decays is crucial for the NAO+ to NAO− transition during P2. It is further shown that destructive (constructive) interference between wavenumbers 1 and 2 over the North Atlantic during P1 (P2) is responsible for the subsequent weak NAO+ (strong NAO−) anomaly associated with the NAO− to NAO+ (NAO+ to NAO−) transition. Also, the weakening (strengthening) of the vertically integrated zonal wind (upstream Atlantic storm track) is found to play an important role in the NAO regime transition.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Winter Precipitation Variability in the European–Mediterranean Region Associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (16) ◽  
pp. 7179-7196
Author(s):  
Richard Seager ◽  
Haibo Liu ◽  
Yochanan Kushnir ◽  
Timothy J. Osborn ◽  
Isla R. Simpson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic Oscillation ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
The North ◽  
Precipitation Anomalies ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation

AbstractThe physical mechanisms whereby the mean and transient circulation anomalies associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) drive winter mean precipitation anomalies across the North Atlantic Ocean, Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea region are investigated using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts interim reanalysis. A moisture budget decomposition is used to identify the contribution of the anomalies in evaporation, the mean flow, storm tracks and the role of moisture convergence and advection. Over the eastern North Atlantic, Europe, and the Mediterranean, precipitation anomalies are primarily driven by the mean flow anomalies with, for a positive NAO, anomalous moist advection causing enhanced precipitation in the northern British Isles and Scandinavia and anomalous mean flow moisture divergence causing drying over continental Europe and the Mediterranean region. Transient eddy moisture fluxes work primarily to oppose the anomalies in precipitation minus evaporation generated by the mean flow, but shifts in storm-track location and intensity help to explain regional details of the precipitation anomaly pattern. The extreme seasonal precipitation anomalies that occurred during the two winters with the most positive (1988/89) and negative (2009/10) NAO indices are also explained by NAO-associated mean flow moisture convergence anomalies.

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