Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

On the North Atlantic Ocean Heat Content Change between 1955–70 and 1980–95

Xiaoming Zhai Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

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Luke Sheldon Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

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Print Publication:
15 May 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00187.1
Page(s):
3619–3628
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Abstract

The upper-ocean heat content of the North Atlantic has undergone significant changes over the last 50 years but the underlying physical mechanisms are not yet well understood. In the present study, the authors examine the North Atlantic ocean heat content change in the upper 700 m between the 1955–70 and 1980–95 periods. Consistent with previous studies, the large-scale pattern consists of warming of the tropics and subtropics and cooling of the subpolar ocean. However, this study finds that the most significant heat content change in the North Atlantic during these two time periods is the warming of the Gulf Stream region. Numerical experiments strongly suggest that this warming in the Gulf Stream region is largely driven by changes of the large-scale wind forcing. Furthermore, the increased ocean heat content in the Gulf Stream region appears to feedback on to the atmosphere, resulting in warmer surface air temperature and enhanced precipitation there.

Corresponding author address: Xiaoming Zhai, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom. E-mail: zhai@atm.ox.ac.uk

Abstract

The upper-ocean heat content of the North Atlantic has undergone significant changes over the last 50 years but the underlying physical mechanisms are not yet well understood. In the present study, the authors examine the North Atlantic ocean heat content change in the upper 700 m between the 1955–70 and 1980–95 periods. Consistent with previous studies, the large-scale pattern consists of warming of the tropics and subtropics and cooling of the subpolar ocean. However, this study finds that the most significant heat content change in the North Atlantic during these two time periods is the warming of the Gulf Stream region. Numerical experiments strongly suggest that this warming in the Gulf Stream region is largely driven by changes of the large-scale wind forcing. Furthermore, the increased ocean heat content in the Gulf Stream region appears to feedback on to the atmosphere, resulting in warmer surface air temperature and enhanced precipitation there.

Corresponding author address: Xiaoming Zhai, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom. E-mail: zhai@atm.ox.ac.uk
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