Relation between Atmospheric Circulation and Dominant Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly Patterns in the North Pacific during the Northern Winter

Abstract

Dominant SST anomaly patterns in the North Pacific were elucidated by the EOF analysis. Derived first spatial pattern corresponds to the Pacific/North American (PNA), while the second coincides with the Western Pacific (WP) teleconnection pattern in Northern Winter. The first dominant spatial pattern persists for several months, or shifts to the second component three months later. Negative time coefficients of the the second component in February are connected with the warm Hokkaido and cold West Japan. The low or high index in the middle latitude circulation is necessary to explain shifts in the SST anomaly pattern.