Multidecadal variation in the relationship between the Arctic Oscillation and winter temperature in Japan

Abstract

We analyzed multidecadal variations in the relationship between the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and winter temperature variations in Japan. Our results reveal that there are multidecadal changes in the early 1990s. In January, the relationship between AO and intensity of the Aleutian Low have strengthened after the early 1990s. Significant influence of AO on temperature variations in western Japan is most likely caused by the strong relationship between AO and the Aleutian Low intensity. Whereas, the relationship between AO and the Aleutian Low in February became weak after the early 1990s, which seems to cause absence of AO influence on winter temperature in western Japan.