Mechanisms Governing the Development of the North Atlantic Warming Hole in the CESM-LE Future Climate Simulations
[1];
- Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, New York, New York
A warming deficit in North Atlantic sea surface temperatures is a striking feature in global climate model future projections. This North Atlantic warming hole has been related to a slowing of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC); however, the detailed mechanisms involved in its generation remain an open question. An analysis of the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble simulations is conducted to obtain further insight into the development of the warming hole and its relationship to the AMOC. It is shown that increasing freshwater fluxes through the Arctic gates lead to surface freshening and reduced Labrador Sea deep convection, which in turn act to cool Labrador Sea sea surface temperatures. Furthermore, the resulting changes in surface ocean circulation lead to enhanced transport of cooled Labrador Sea surface waters into the interior of the subpolar gyre and a more zonal orientation of the North Atlantic Current. As a result, there is an increase in ocean advective heat flux divergence within the center of the subpolar gyre, causing this warming deficit in North Atlantic sea surface temperatures. These local changes to the ocean circulation affect the AMOC and lead to its slowdown.
- Research Organization:
- Columbia Univ., New York, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0014423
- OSTI ID:
- 1457832
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1541845
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Climate, Journal Name: Journal of Climate Vol. 31 Journal Issue: 15; ISSN 0894-8755
- Publisher:
- American Meteorological SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
Robustness and drivers of the Northern Hemisphere extratropical atmospheric circulation response to a CO$$_2$$2-induced warming in CNRM-CM6-1
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journal | January 2020 |
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