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a) Sea surface temperature (ocean) and T2m (continent) anomalies from July 12 to August 8, 2018 after removing daily climate and linear trends from the entire time series. The North Atlantic box (15–40°W, 45–60°N) and the European box (0–20°E, 45–52.5°N) are used for subsequent averaging. b) Non-seasonalized and non-trended JJA mean values of box-mean anomalies (red) and differences (black) in the North Atlantic (blue) and Europe. Seasons with notable differences are highlighted. His T2m anomaly difference (dotted black line) between Vienna and Ilulissat (Greenland) representing the initial SNAO definition. c) PC1 time series of SNAO and PC2 time series of SEA (see Section 2.4). d) Daily deseasonalized and detrended JJA SST anomalies (black). Composite dates of quantiles (horizontal lines) and events showing negative trends in cold SSTs (blue dots), warm SSTs (red dots), neutral SSTs (orange dots), and European hot event years highlighted It shows. For visibility reasons, composite dates for events with a positive trend are not displayed. credit: Tellus A: Dynamic meteorology and oceanography (2023). DOI: 10.16993/tellusa.3235
The surface temperature of the North Atlantic plays an important role in the occurrence of heat waves in Europe. However, researchers at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Marine Research in Kiel have shown that it is not high water temperatures that are responsible for thermal events on land, but low water temperatures.
The study combined observations and climate models to investigate the relationship between North Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SST) and European heat events from 1979 to 2019. They have now published their results in an academic journal. Tellus A: Dynamic meteorology and oceanography.
Researchers discovered 12 events in which unusually low North Atlantic surface temperatures were followed by record temperatures in Europe. In addition, the decrease in sea surface temperatures was preceded by 17 heat events in Europe. In addition to the contrast between cold water and hot land temperatures, the interaction of the North Atlantic low and the European high was another notable feature.
climate physicist Dr. Julian Kruger; “In the summers of 2015 and 2018, when the North Atlantic was unusually cold and at the same time warm, this The relevance is especially clear.” When a thermal event occurs over Europe. ”
Researchers analyzed several weather factors to understand the relationship between North Atlantic temperatures and European heat. They found that during these events, heat flow from the ocean to the atmosphere increases in the subpolar North Atlantic, increasing air masses and precipitation.
The released heat is transported toward Europe and contributes to the formation of a high-pressure region. For this reason, clear skies with strong solar radiation are preferred, which determines the maximum surface temperature in Europe.
Professor Kruger said: “The research results contribute to the understanding of the statistical and physical relationship between surface temperatures in the North Atlantic and thermal events in Europe. This will improve the predictability of thermal events in a changing future climate. It is also important for increasing the
For more information:
Julian Krüger et al. The relationship between North Atlantic sea surface temperature variations and European heat over the past few decades, Tellus A: Dynamic meteorology and oceanography (2023). DOI: 10.16993/tellusa.3235