Tropical North Atlantic Response to ENSO: Sensitivity to Model Spatial Resolution

Abstract In this study, the ENSO teleconnection with tropical North Atlantic (TNA) sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in boreal spring is analyzed ocean–atmosphere coupled global circulation models. To assess role played by horizontal resolution of models on teleconnection, we used a multimodel dataset that first to combine both low and high resolution. The TNA response projects onto most significant SST mode at interannual time scales, meridional (AMM). Its evolution primarily driven wind–evaporation–SST (WES) feedback, which turn based development an initial gradient. This study examines quantifies relative contribution dynamic-related (upwelling) thermodynamic-related (evaporation) process triggering gradient case ENSO–TNA teleconnection. While no major found evaporation, consistent from coastal upwelling off northwest Africa identified. enhanced high-resolution highlights close link between winter AMM spring. It further shown present thinner more realistic ocean mixed layer within area, enhances effect winds SSTs. As consequence, are sensitive than low-resolution wind errors, thereby they do not ensure improved reliability or predictability ENSO.