Positive low cloud and dust feedbacks amplify tropical North Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation
- Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology University of Maryland, Baltimore County Catonsville Maryland USA, Earth Science Directorate NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt Maryland USA
- Earth Science Directorate NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt Maryland USA
- Program for Climate Modeling Diagnosis and Intercomparison Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore California USA
- Earth Science Directorate NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt Maryland USA, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center University of Maryland College Park Maryland USA
- Scripps Institute of Oceanography University of California San Diego La Jolla California USA
- Earth Science Directorate NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt Maryland USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research Universities Space Research Association Columbia Maryland USA
Abstract The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) is characterized by a horseshoe pattern of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies and has a wide range of climatic impacts. While the tropical arm of AMO is responsible for many of these impacts, it is either too weak or completely absent in many climate model simulations. Here we show, using both observational and model evidence, that the radiative effect of positive low cloud and dust feedbacks is strong enough to generate the tropical arm of AMO, with the low cloud feedback more dominant. The feedbacks can be understood in a consistent dynamical framework: weakened tropical trade wind speed in response to a warm middle latitude SST anomaly reduces dust loading and low cloud fraction over the tropical Atlantic, which warms the tropical North Atlantic SST. Together they contribute to the appearance of the tropical arm of AMO. Most current climate models miss both the critical wind speed response and two positive feedbacks though realistic simulations of them may be essential for many climatic studies related to the AMO.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC52-07NA27344
- OSTI ID:
- 1249953
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1261227; OSTI ID: 1409978
- Report Number(s):
- LLNL-JRNL-736933
- Journal Information:
- Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 43 Journal Issue: 3; ISSN 0094-8276
- Publisher:
- American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
Similar Records
Influence of the North Atlantic SST Variability on the Atmospheric Circulation during the Twentieth Century
Climate Changes of Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Formation Derived from Twentieth-Century Reanalysis