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Natural climate change and variability
North Atlantic Oscillation
The positive phase
During the positive phase, the pressure is higher than usual in the subtropical high and lower than usual in the Icelandic low. Air flowing eastward across the Atlantic Ocean is forced farther northward than usual, resulting in warm and wet winters in Europe, and dry conditions around the Mediterranean.
Other effects of the positive phase are mild and wet winters in eastern North America, dry conditions in western North America, increased rainfall in Scotland, Scandinavia, and Alaska, and cold and dry winters in Northern Canada and Greenland.
Farther south, the trade winds are intensified by the stronger subtropical high.
Next page -> North Atlantic Oscillation, continued
Links and resources
North Atlantic Oscillation
The positive phaseDuring the positive phase, the pressure is higher than usual in the subtropical high and lower than usual in the Icelandic low. Air flowing eastward across the Atlantic Ocean is forced farther northward than usual, resulting in warm and wet winters in Europe, and dry conditions around the Mediterranean.
Other effects of the positive phase are mild and wet winters in eastern North America, dry conditions in western North America, increased rainfall in Scotland, Scandinavia, and Alaska, and cold and dry winters in Northern Canada and Greenland.
Farther south, the trade winds are intensified by the stronger subtropical high.
Next page -> North Atlantic Oscillation, continued
Links and resources
