Surface ocean current variations in the North Pacific related to Arctic stratospheric ozone

Abstract Using reanalysis datasets and a coupled general circulation model, the relationship between springtime Arctic total column ozone (TCO) surface (5 m) ocean currents in North Pacific is investigated. We found that as March TCO decreases, statistically significant northwestward current anomaly occurs northern layer, but an anomalous southward appears central April, vice versa. The decreased favors enhanced stratospheric circulation, which tends to induce tropospheric positive Oscillation with easterly anomalies over midlatitude eastern Asia late through stratosphere-troposphere dynamical coupling. further extends eastward induces Pacific, negative (–NPO)-like via zonal wind shear interactions synoptic scale eddies mean flow early-middle April. –NPO forces northwestward/southward northern/central direct friction of Coriolis force. Our numerical simulations high- low-ozone scenarios also support affects by NPO anomalies. Moreover, ozone-related contribute Victoria mode-like sea temperature horizontal heat advection. These results imply signal could be predictor for variations currents.