The 1990s in the context of climatic changes in the North Atlantic region during the past 40 years

The wintertime surface climate variations in the North Atlantic during the past 40 years were characterized by two modes of variability. The first mode is associated with decadal variations in atmospheric circulation and sea surface temperature (SST). The spatial structure of decadal SST anomaly (SSTA) variations is characterized by the existence of six large-scale regions with coherent SSTA fluctuations within each region. Four distinct decadal climatic regimes were identified during the 1957-2000 period: 1957-1971, 1972-1976, 1977-1988, and 1989-2000. The 1990-1999 decade was very warm in the North Atlantic. The second mode of variability in the North Atlantic during the past 40 years was associated with a gradual northeastward warming of surface waters, which is possibly driven by changes in the large-scale oceanic circulation.

Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 219 - "Hydrobiological variability in the ICES Area, 1990-1999", symposium held in Edinburgh, 8-10 August 2001. To access  the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 219".