Sea surface temperature variability in coastal areas of the Northeastern Pacific related to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation

We examined monthly time-series (1950 to 1999) of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in 47 quadrants (2 degrees x2 degrees) along the coast of North America and their relation to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). We used the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) and the PDO Index (PDOI) and assumed a linear interaction of the mechanisms behind their interannual variations. Then, we examined SST anomalies as functions of MEI and PDOI using multiple linear regression (MLR). On average, ENSO influence decreases poleward but is still dominant at 31 degreesN. Northward, the PDO signal dominates. MLR was also applied to selected sea level height (SLH) series. ENSO effects on SLH were clear up to 48 degreesN, while PDO showed a weak effect only in the Gulf of Alaska. This suggests that, poleward of Southern California. ENSO effects may be largely restricted to the inshore coastal environment.