Original Research Papers

A possible response of the atmospheric Hadley circulation to equatorial anomalies of ocean temperature

Authors:

Abstract

Weakness and temporary elimination of the equatorial easterly winds over the eastern and central Pacific in late 1957 and early 1958 brought about a brief cessation of equatorial upwelling which in turn caused the occurrence of above-normal surface water temperatures in the tropical Pacific from the American coast westward to the dateline. This sudden introduction of a large anomalous heat source for the atmosphere intensified its thermodynamic circulation, especially in the wintertime (northern) hemisphere. Record intensity of the westerlies resulted in the eastern North Pacific. The anomalous depth of the Low in the Gulf of Alaska had the downwind effect of weakening the Iceland Low and setting the stage for a cold winter in northern Europe.

  • Year: 1966
  • Volume: 18 Issue: 4
  • Page/Article: 820-829
  • DOI: 10.3402/tellusa.v18i4.9712
  • Submitted on 18 Jan 1966
  • Published on 1 Jan 1966
  • Peer Reviewed