The Impact of the Stratospheric Polar Vortex Shift on the Arctic Oscillation

Using the ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset for the time period 1979-2016, we analyzed the influence of the stratospheric polar vortex shift on the Arctic Oscillation (AO) in winter (December-March). The results show that a shift in the stratospheric polar vortex toward the Eurasian continent is favorable for the occurrence of the negative phase of the AO. The duration of the AO events accompanied by the stratospheric polar vortex shift toward the Eurasian continent (AO-shift events) is longer than that of the remaining negative AO events (AO-noshift events), and the intensity of AO-shift events is greater than that of AO-noshift events from day 4 to day 15 of the life cycle of the events. The enhancement in the AO intensity during AO-shift events is likely due to downward extension of the stratospheric northern annular mode (NAM) signals and more poleward-propagating planetary waves in the troposphere and lower stratosphere and their convergence in the mid-high latitudes. Furthermore, the polar vortex shift can lead to changes in the intensity of the three action centers in the AO spatial pattern at 500 hPa. In general, during AO-shift events, the three action centers are stronger than those during AO-noshift events. There is an overall westward shift of the Arctic action center during AO-shift events, which may be closely related to the changes of Greenland blocking frequency.

Automated summary

The study found that the shift of the stratospheric polar vortex towards the Eurasian continent favors the occurrence of the negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation, leading to longer and more intense AO events. Additionally, the polar vortex shift results in changes in the intensity of the three action centers in the AO spatial pattern, with an overall westward shift observed during the AO-shift events.