Warm Phase of AMV Damps ENSO Through Weakened Thermocline Feedback

Trascasa‐Castro, Paloma; Ruprich‐Robert, Yohan; Castruccio, Frederic; Maycock, Amanda C.

doi:10.1029/2021GL096149

Warm Phase of AMV Damps ENSO Through Weakened Thermocline Feedback

Journal Article · Mon Dec 06 23:00:00 EST 2021 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL096149· OSTI ID:1834636

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School of Earth and Environment University of Leeds Leeds UK
Barcelona Supercomputing Center Barcelona Spain
National Center for Atmospheric Research Boulder CO USA

Abstract

Interactions between ocean basins affect El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), altering its impacts on society. Here, we explore the effect of Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) on ENSO behavior using idealized experiments performed with the NCAR‐CESM1 model. Comparing warm (AMV+) to cold (AMV−) AMV conditions, we find that ENSO sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies are reduced by ∼10% and ENSO precipitation anomalies are shifted to the west during El Niño and east during La Niña. Using the Bjerknes stability index, we attribute the reduction in ENSO variability to a weakened thermocline feedback in boreal autumn. In AMV+, the Walker circulation and trade winds strengthen over the tropical Pacific, increasing the background zonal SST gradient. The background changes shift ENSO anomalies westwards, with wind stress anomalies more confined to the west. We suggest the changes in ENSO‐wind stress decrease the strength of the thermocline feedback in the east, eventually reducing ENSO growth rate.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 1834636

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1834637

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 48; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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