North Atlantic Oscillation (Q846)
Subject, term, tag: North Atlantic Oscillation
- North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)
| Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | North Atlantic Oscillation |
Subject, term, tag: North Atlantic Oscillation |
|
Statements
IPCC Glossary v1.5
1 reference
27 May 2026
The leading mode of large-scale atmospheric variability in the North Atlantic basin characterized by alternating (see-saw) variations in sea level pressure or geopotential height between the Azores High in the subtropics and the Icelandic Low in the mid- to high latitudes, with some northward extension deep into the Arctic. It is associated with fluctuations in the strength and latitudinal position of the main westerly winds across a vast North Atlantic–Europe domain, and thus with fluctuations in the embedded extratropical cyclones and associated frontal systems leading to strong teleconnection over the entire North Atlantic adjacent continents. The positive and negative phases of the NAO show similar characteristics described for the Northern Annular Mode (NAM). See Section AIV.2.1 in Annex IV of the AR6 WGI report. (English)
IPCC Glossary v1.5
1 reference
27 May 2026