Western Boundary Currents Affect Local Climate Variability, New Study Finds

A study by atmospheric scientists at Colorado State University finds that Western Boundary Currents, powerful ocean currents along coasts, have a greater impact on local climate variability than previously thought. thought so before. Researchers James Larson, David Thompson and James Hurrell shared their findings in Nature. They showed how these currents influence temperature and atmospheric patterns in ways that refine climate models and improve weather forecasts.

Western boundary currents, including the Gulf Stream off North America and the Kuroshio Current near Japan, are known to transport large amounts of warm water from tropical regions to higher latitudes. This movement affects winds, precipitation and global weather patterns over large areas. But the study goes further. It specifically looks at how these currents affect local weather variations rather than just broader climate averages.

High-resolution data shows links between ocean and atmosphere

THE researchwhich was published on Phys.org, reveals that using high-resolution satellite data and numerical modeling, the team studied how sea surface temperatures (SST) changes over currents of the western boundary correlate with atmospheric circulation and precipitation. Their month-by-month analysis tracked how SST variations relate to changes in air circulation in the lower atmosphere, particularly around these major currents. They found that SST fluctuations directly influence atmospheric behaviors, such as vertical air movement and precipitation patterns.

For example, regions with larger SST changes relative to the western boundary currents also showed significant changes in local atmospheric circulation and precipitation. This find indicates that these currents not only transport warm water, but also drive complex weather dynamics in neighboring areas, creating variability in precipitation and atmospheric conditions that can impact local climates in both hemispheres.

Implications for climate models and forecasts

The study’s findings suggest that existing weather and climate models may need adjustment to account for the influence of these currents on local climate variability. Larson and his team highlight a mechanism by which ocean conditions affect the atmosphere in a way that has not been fully incorporated into current forecast models.

By showing the close link between SSTs on boundary currents and local weather conditions, the researchers’ work could lead to more accurate forecasts for regions influenced by these ocean pathways. With improved modeling, communities near key boundary currents could benefit from better predictions of weather changes driven by ocean temperatures.