20CR Climate Indices: North Pacific Index (NP)

This mode describes variability of the north pacific atmosphere.


sample plot
Correlation of 20CRV3 January SLP with the NP 20CR Index. Created with the Atmospheric WRIT Correlation Tool.
sample plot
Times-series from the WRIT Time-series Plotting Tool
Description
The North Pacific Index (NP index or NPI) is the area-weighted sea level pressure over the region 30°N-65°N, 160°E-140°W. The NP index is defined to measure interannual to decadal variations in the atmospheric circulation. The dominant atmosphere-ocean relation in the North Pacific is one where atmospheric changes lead changes in sea surface temperatures by one to two months. However, strong ties exist with events in the tropical Pacific, with changes in tropical Pacific SSTs leading SSTs in the north Pacific by three months.
Temporal Coverage
  • Monthly values: 1851/01 to 2011 (V2c)
  • Monthly values: 1871 to 2012 (V2)
  • Update Status:Static: Static
Data Notes
  • Units: mb
  • Missing data value: -99.0
Related Time-series
Links
Original Source
  • Time-series was calculated at NOAA/PSL.
Time-series source dataset(s)
Citation
  • Cite PSL
References