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Conclusions

  • The North Atlantic Oscillation is the largest mode of climate variability in the Atlantic Sector and possibly in the whole northern hemisphere.
  • Its impacts reach from the upper atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean and reach from America over to Europe and far into Asia.
  • The dynamics of the NAO are not fully understood and in partiuclar its sensitivity to ocean, land or changes in the sea-ice conditions need more study.
  • Some scientist argue that the NAO is strongly coupled to the stratosphere and will be significantly influenced by "global warming".
  • Other scientist see evidence for coupling with the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • It has also been suggested that tropical ocean temperatures can influence the phase of the NAO.
  • It is unlikely that we will ever be able to predict the NAO with the same accuracy as we do for ENSO today.

    Notes: