Atmospheric blocking: space-time links to the NAO and PNA |
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Authors: | Mischa Croci-Maspoli Cornelia Schwierz Huw C Davies |
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Institution: | (1) Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, CHN M16.3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland |
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Abstract: | In the Northern hemisphere, regions characterized by an enhanced frequency of atmospheric blocking overlap significantly with
those associated with the major extra-tropical patterns of large-scale climate variability—namely the North Atlantic Oscillation
(NAO) and the Pacific North American (PNA) pattern. There is likewise an overlap in the temporal band-width of blocks and
these climate patterns. Here the nature of the linkage between blocks and the climate patterns is explored by using the ERA-40
re-analysis data set to examine (1) their temporal and spatial correlation and (2) the interrelationship between blocks and
the NAO/PNA. It is shown that a strong anti-correlation exists between blocking occurrence and the phase of the NAO (PNA)
in the North Atlantic (western North Pacific), and that there are distinctive inter-basin differences with a clear geographical
(over North Atlantic) and quantitative (over North Pacific) separation of typical blocking genesis/lysis regions during the
opposing phases of the climate patterns. An Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis points to a significant influence
of blocking upon the NAO pattern (identifiable as the leading EOF in the Euro-Atlantic), and a temporal analysis indicates
that long-lasting blocks are associated with the development of negative NAO/PNA index values throughout their life-time.
In addition an indication of a cause-and effect relationship is set-out for the North Atlantic linkage. |
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