Decadal North Pacific sea surface temperature variability and the associated global climate anomalies in a coupled general circulation model

Abstract

We explore the characteristics of decadal North Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) variability along with its relationship to global climate variations based on the analysis of a long-term coupled model simulation (300 years). Two key regions of North Pacific decadal variability, i.e., the western North Pacific (WNP) and central North Pacific (CNP) SST variability, are defined. While the global atmospheric patterns associated with decadal WNP variability are localized around east Asia and the western North Pacific, those of decadal CNP variability have both a local and a remote manifestation. The midlatitude response to decadal CNP variability is examined on the basis of El Nino and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability on interannual and decadal timescales. Decadal CNP variability can destructively or constructively interfere with the midlatitude response to interannual ENSO variability. Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union.