| North Atlantic SST exhibit large multi-decadal fluctuations that have significant socio-economic impacts over the Northern Hemisphere. These variations are believed to be related to fluctuations in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC). Here this relation is studied using climate models from the CMIP3 database. Most models indicate a strong role for the MOC in driving multi-decadal Atlantic SST, however, there is a large spread among models in the strength of the relationship. For example the correlation between decadal mean SST and MOC is almost 0.7 in the MPI model, but is around 0.3 in the Kiel Climate Model. The different roles of deep convection in the Labrador, Irminger, and GIN seas in forcing the MOC variations is investigated, as is the relation to atmospheric variability. |
|