Sources of variability of the overturning circulation in the subtropical North Atlantic

David Smeed1, Eleanor Frajka-Williams1, William E Johns2, Molly O'Neil Baringer3, Ben I Moat1, Darren Rayner1, Denis Volkov4 and Harry L Bryden5, (1)National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom, (2)Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States, (3)NOAA/AOML, Miami, FL, United States, (4)Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, Miami, United States, (5)University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Abstract:
The variability of the AMOC observed by the RAPID-MOCHA-WBTS array at 26°N is separated into contributions from different locations. The relative importance of these contributions is dependent upon the timescale of the variability. On multi-annual timescales density anomalies on the western boundary, east of the Bahamas, is the dominant source of AMOC variability. On seasonal timescales flow in the Florida Strait, at the eastern boundary and in the Ekman surface boundary layer are also important. But variability of properties either side of the md-Atlantic Ridge has not so far had a significant impact on the observed AMOC. Analysis of the different contributions is used in conjunction with hydrographic data to diagnose the mechanisms of variability.
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