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Warming of the subpolar Atlantic triggered by freshwater discharge at the continental boundary
Author(s) -
Saenko Oleg A.,
Weaver Andrew J.,
Robitaille Daniel Y.,
Flato Gregory M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2007gl030674
Subject(s) - north atlantic deep water , shutdown of thermohaline circulation , oceanography , thermohaline circulation , climatology , gulf stream , geology , atlantic multidecadal oscillation , atlantic equatorial mode , ocean current , north atlantic oscillation
The traditional view is that widespread discharge of freshwater into the North Atlantic leads to a reduction of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a concomitant reduction of poleward heat transport and a cooling of the climate of the North Atlantic. Here we report upon coupled atmosphere‐ocean general circulation model experiments that suggest a more non‐uniform response of the North Atlantic climate to large freshwater perturbations. We show that in a cold climate with extensive sea ice coverage in the Labrador Sea, a massive discharge of freshwater along coastal boundaries leads to an anomalous warming in the western North Atlantic. The warming persist despite a significant weakening of the AMOC and its associated heat transport. It is maintained by major reorganizations of the large‐scale wind field, oceanic circulation and convection in the subpolar Atlantic.