Editorial Type:
Letters
Article Type:
Letter

North Atlantic Atmosphere–Ocean Interaction on Intraseasonal Time Scales

Laura M. Ciasto Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

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David W. J. Thompson Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

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Print Publication:
15 Apr 2004
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(2004)017<1617:NAAIOI>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
1617–1621
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Abstract

The authors examine wintertime atmosphere–ocean interaction on weekly time scales over the North Atlantic sector. Consistent with previous results, it is found that the strongest interactions between the ocean and atmosphere occur when the atmosphere leads. However, the authors also find a spatially coherent and statistically significant pattern of sea surface temperature anomalies over the Gulf Stream extension region that precedes changes in the leading mode of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric variablilty by ∼2 weeks.

Corresponding author address: Laura M. Ciasto, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1371. Email: lciasto@atmos.colostate.edu

Abstract

The authors examine wintertime atmosphere–ocean interaction on weekly time scales over the North Atlantic sector. Consistent with previous results, it is found that the strongest interactions between the ocean and atmosphere occur when the atmosphere leads. However, the authors also find a spatially coherent and statistically significant pattern of sea surface temperature anomalies over the Gulf Stream extension region that precedes changes in the leading mode of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric variablilty by ∼2 weeks.

Corresponding author address: Laura M. Ciasto, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1371. Email: lciasto@atmos.colostate.edu

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