North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO)

A pattern of variability of NE Pacific Ocean sea surface heights.


sample plot
From WRIT Correlation page

Map is correlation of annual DMI time-series with Annual SST from the HadISST1.1 SST dataset for 1870-2021. The east-west gradient is illustrated.

  • The North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO) is a climate pattern that emerges as the 2nd dominant mode of sea surface height variability (2nd EOF SSH) in the Northeast Pacific. The NPGO is significantly correlated with previously unexplained fluctuations of salinity, nutrients and chlorophyll-a measured in long-term observations in the California Current (CalCOFI) and Gulf of Alaska (Line P). See theNGPO webpage at Georgia Tech for more infomation.
Temporal Coverage
  • Monthly values: 1950/01 to near present
  • Update Status: Monthly
Data Notes
  • Units: degC
  • Missing data value: -9999.0
Usage Restrictions
  • None
Caveats
  • None
Original Source
Time series source dataset(s)
References
  • Di Lorenzo E., Schneider N., Cobb K. M., Chhak, K, Franks P. J. S., Miller A. J., McWilliams J. C., Bograd S. J., Arango H., Curchister E., Powell T. M. and P. Rivere, 2008: North Pacific Gyre Oscillation links ocean climate and ecosystem change. Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L08607, doi:10.1029/2007GL032838.