The Asymmetric Atmospheric Response to the Decadal Variability of Kuroshio Extension during Winter

The Kuroshio extension (KE) exhibits interdecadal variability, oscillating from a stable state to an unstable state. In this paper, ERA-Interim reanalysis data are used to discuss the possible reasons for the asymmetric response of the atmosphere to symmetric sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) during periods of differential KE states. The analysis has the following results: the SSTA presents a nearly symmetrical distribution with opposite signs during the KE stable and unstable periods. During the KE stable period, the storm track is located north of 40°N and is significantly enhanced in the northeast Pacific Ocean. The atmospheric response is similar to the West Pacific/North Pacific Oscillation teleconnection (WP/NPO like pattern) and presents a barotropic structure. The inversion results of the potential vorticity equation show that the feedback of transient eddy vorticity manifests a WP/NPO like pattern and presents a barotropic structure, which is the main reason for bringing about the response of the WP/NPO like pattern. The magnitude of the feedbacks of both diabatic heating and transient eddy heating is small, which can offset one another. During the KE unstable period, the main body of the storm track is located to the south of 40°N, and there is no significant response signal in the atmosphere, except near the west coast of North America. Compared with the KE stable period, the asymmetry of response of the transient eddy vorticity is the main reason for the asymmetric response of the atmosphere.