Sea surface temperature (SST) observations in the North Atlantic indicate the existence of strong multi-decadal variability with unique spatial structure. It is shown by means of a new global climate model which does not employ flux adjustments that the multi-decadal SST variability is closely related to variations in the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC). The close correspondence between the North Atlantic SST and THC variabilities allows in conjunction with the dynamical inertia of the THC for the prediction of the slowly varying component of the North Atlantic climate system. This is shown by classical predictability experiments and greenhouse warming simulations with the global climate model.
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