Research Article

You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article

Reconstruction of the North Atlantic Oscillation, 1429–1983

  1. Mary F. Glueck†*,
  2. Charles W. Stockton

Article first published online: 31 OCT 2001

DOI: 10.1002/joc.684

Issue

International Journal of Climatology

International Journal of Climatology

Volume 21, Issue 12, pages 1453–1465, December 2001

Additional Information

How to Cite

Glueck, M. F. and Stockton, C. W. (2001), Reconstruction of the North Atlantic Oscillation, 1429–1983. Int. J. Climatol., 21: 1453–1465. doi: 10.1002/joc.684

Author Information

  1. Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

  1. †

    Current affiliation: Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.

*Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, University of Arizona, 715 N. Park Ave, 2nd Floor, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 31 OCT 2001
  2. Article first published online: 31 OCT 2001
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 30 APR 2001
  4. Manuscript Revised: 26 APR 2001
  5. Manuscript Received: 31 JUL 2000

Funded by

  • National Science Foundation Paleoclimate Program. Grant Number: ATM9615679

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (1753K)

Keywords:

  • dendroclimatic reconstruction;
  • multi-proxy reconstruction;
  • North Atlantic region;
  • North Atlantic Oscillation

Abstract

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is considered to be the dominant mode of winter atmospheric variability in the Northern Hemisphere (Barnston AG, Livezey RE. 1987. Classification, seasonality and persistence of low frequency atmospheric circulation patterns. Monthly Weather Review115: 1083–1126), especially in the North Atlantic region. A better understanding of its recent variability in the context of pre-instrumental period variations is critical for prediction purposes. A 555-year (1429–1983) multi-proxy reconstruction of the cool season NAO, calibrated against the Lisbon–Iceland (LISJHI) NAO, is presented. Predictor variables include tree-ring chronologies from Morocco and Finland, GISP2 δ18O annual series, and a GISP2 snow accumulation record. Although the reconstructed values are generally lower than the instrumental values during the calibration period (1863–1983), the final reconstruction does capture the low frequency of the instrumental NAO. The reconstruction compares favourably with existing shorter NAO reconstructions and with the instrumental NAO. The variability in the reconstructed NAO is also discussed within the context of lengthy regional climate records. Results suggest that the occurrence and length of the recent persistently high phase of the NAO are not unusual over the 555-year period of time, but that the magnitude of some of the instrumental values may, in fact, be unique. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society

Get PDF (1753K)