| Abstract: In this paper, it is shown that
coherent large-scale low-frequency variabilities in the North Atlantic
Ocean—that is, the variations of thermohaline circulation, deep western
boundary current, northern recirculation gyre, and Gulf Stream path—are
associated with high-latitude oceanic Great Salinity Anomaly events. In
particular, a dipolar sea surface temperature anomaly (warming off the U.S.
east coast and cooling south of Greenland) can be triggered by the Great
Salinity Anomaly events several years in advance, thus providing a degree of
long-term predictability to the system. Diagnosed phase relationships among
an observed proxy for Great Salinity Anomaly events, the Labrador Sea sea
surface temperature anomaly, and the North Atlantic Oscillation are also
discussed. |