Coupled Feedbacks From the Tropical Pacific to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

The tropical Pacific Ocean is a key regulator of Earth's climate, with teleconnections that influence remote locations all around the world. Here we use partially coupled climate model experiments to show that tropical Pacific cooling related to an abrupt Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) slowdown can strengthen the AMOC by ∼25%. This tropical-extratropical teleconnection occurs initially via atmospheric Rossby waves propagating from the tropical Pacific to the North Atlantic which alter surface climate conditions locally. These changes facilitate ocean heat loss from the subpolar gyre, favoring enhanced oceanic convection. The AMOC strengthening is subsequently enhanced by anomalous northward salt advection in the Atlantic, with a potential contribution from oceanic wave adjustment triggered by increased Southern Ocean westerly winds. These results highlight the influence of the tropical Pacific on the AMOC on multidecadal timescales and suggest that cold phases of tropical Pacific decadal variability could drive temporary strengthening of the AMOC.