Pacific Decadal Oscillation

The Pacific Decadal Oscillation is a long-lived pattern of sea-surface temperature variability across the North Pacific, with warm and cool phases that reorganize over years to decades.

North Pacific Gyre Oscillation: A pattern of sea-surface height and circulation variability in the North Pacific, distinct from the basin-wide PDO pattern. It is another expression of North Pacific variability and can affect similar ecosystems.
El Niño–Southern Oscillation: A recurring tropical Pacific pattern of coupled ocean and atmospheric variability, typically changing over a few years. ENSO is shorter-lived and tropical, though it can influence the North Pacific PDO pattern.
Pacific Northwest climate: The climate of the Pacific Northwest, shaped by Pacific Ocean conditions, mountains, and seasonal circulation. PDO phases are associated with shifts in winter temperature and precipitation across the region.
Climate regime shift: A relatively rapid, persistent change in the statistical properties of a climate system. Abrupt PDO phase changes have often been described as shifts between climate regimes.
Aleutian Low: A semi-permanent low-pressure system over the North Pacific that is strongest in winter. Its strength and position help shape the wind and temperature pattern associated with PDO phases.
Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation: A pattern of multidecadal sea-surface temperature variability across the North Atlantic. It is a similarly named basin-scale pattern in a different ocean.
Alaska climate: The climate of Alaska, including strong maritime and high-latitude influences. North Pacific temperature patterns are linked to changing conditions around Alaska.
Pacific climate variability attribution: The study of how internal dynamics and external forcing produce observed changes in Pacific climate. Researchers disagree on how much PDO behavior is internally generated versus forced.
Ocean gyre: A large system of circulating ocean currents driven by winds and Earth's rotation. Changes in North Pacific circulation help sustain and redistribute PDO-related temperature anomalies.
Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation: A multidecadal pattern of Pacific sea-surface temperature variability spanning both hemispheres. It resembles the PDO but covers a broader Pacific region.

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