KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

Frequently Asked Questions:

3: Is the AMOC slowing down now?

Continuous measurement of the AMOC commenced in 2004 using a system of static ocean moorings. Presently, this time series identifies how the AMOC varies from day-to-day and month-to-month: an underlying decrease in AMOC strength is not visible in the series so far. The series is being used in conjunction with other observations to initialise and refine decadal-length climate model forecats of how the AMOC might evolve in the near future.

4: In addition to temperature, what other climatic variables does the AMOC influence?

The most recent research evidence demonstrates that the AMOC also influences storm, precipitation and sea-level rise patterns in the North Atlantic region. According to some climate model experiments, significant weakening of the AMOC may:

• amplify local sea-level rise as a result of dynamical changes to the ocean;
• increase the tendency for enhanced North Atlantic storm activity;
• reduce precipitation over the North Atlantic and Europe.

Research is underway to increase our understand of such effects and, importantly, how they might excacerbate or offset other effects of global warming.

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