SMART Indicator Report: North Atlantic Oscillation Index
1 Descriptive Section
1.3 Indicator brief description
The North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAO) generally tracks sea level air pressure differences between Iceland and the Azores in the North Atlantic. The indicator focuses on annual changes in winter NAO by averaging monthly NAO indices for January, February, and March each year.
2 SMART Attribute Section
2.1 Indicator documentation
2.1.1 Are indicators available for others to use (data downloadable)?
Yes
2.1.1.1 Where can indicators be found?
All marea indicators are here: https://github.com/MarEcosystemApproaches/marea
2.1.1.3 Who is the contact?
Jamie C. Tam jamie.tam@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
2.1.2 Gather indicator statistics
2.1.2.2 Length of time series, start and end date, periodicity
General overview: Annual
Indicator specifics:
Indicator | EPU | StartYear | EndYear |
|---|---|---|---|
North Atlantic Oscillation Index | North Atlantic | 1951 | 2024 |
2.1.2.3 Spatial location, scale and extent
General overview: Azores–Iceland SLP difference
Indicator specifics:
Indicator | EPU |
|---|---|
North Atlantic Oscillation Index | North Atlantic |
2.1.3 Are methods clearly documented to obtain source data and calculate indicators?
No methods documentation is provided
2.1.3.1 Can the indicator be calculated from current documentation?
No. No methods documentation is provided
2.1.3.3 Have methods changed over time?
Yes, there are multiple methods to calculate the index ranging from observed pressure differences between stations and advanced statistical analyses of high resolution spatial pressure data, and over different time periods. The index based on principal components analysis is described here https://climatedataguide.ucar.edu/climate-data/hurrell-north-atlantic-oscillation-nao-index-pc-based based on stations is described here https://climatedataguide.ucar.edu/climate-data/hurrell-north-atlantic-oscillation-nao-index-station-based and for a comparison of all methods see https://web.archive.org/web/20100328165609/http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/cas/jhurrell/indices.html
2.1.4 Are indicator underlying source data linked or easy to find?
Yes. Source information included: NOAA NCEP via azmpdata; https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/nao/
2.1.4.1 Where are source data stored?
Source data stored at NOAA NCEP via azmpdata; https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/nao/
2.2 Indicator analysis/testing or history of use
2.2.2 What implications of the indicators are currently listed?
The positive phase of the NAO generally means stronger westerly winds at mid-latitudes, higher intensity North Atlantic storms, and warmer weather in the Eastern US and Northern Europe but cooler temperatures in Greenland. See https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/nao/
2.2.4 Have the indicators been tested to ensure they respond proportionally to a change in the underlying process?
Yes, the NOAA National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center routinely compares observed daily NAO indices with forecast NAO indices. See https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/pna/nao.ensm.diff.shtml
3 SMART rating
Category | Indicator | Element | Attribute | Rating | ElementRating | OverallRating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Specific | Described | 1.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Specific | Units | 0.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Specific | Spatial | 1.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Specific | Uncertainty | 0.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Specific | Methods | 0.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Specific | Code | 0.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Measurable | Available | 1.0 | 0.8333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Measurable | Online | 1.0 | 0.8333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Measurable | Contact | 1.0 | 0.8333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Measurable | SourceDat | 1.0 | 0.8333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Measurable | SourceAvail | 1.0 | 0.8333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Measurable | SourceContact | 0.0 | 0.8333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Achievable | Tested | 1.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Achievable | Sensitivity | 0.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Achievable | TimeLag | 0.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Relevant | Advice | 0.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Relevant | Implications | 1.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Relevant | TargThresh | 0.0 | 0.3333333 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Timebound | Frequency | 1.0 | 0.7500000 | 0.5166667 |
Habitat-Physical | North Atlantic Oscillation Index | Timebound | Updated | 0.5 | 0.7500000 | 0.5166667 |
3.1 Comments
3.1.1 Additional potential links to management in addition to uses listed above
[Select from list of management processes/actions using exact keywords]
3.1.2 What additional work would be needed for the Council to use the indicator?
[List current gaps in the indicator given the current or potentail uses listed above, what resources are needed?]
3.1.3 What issues are caused if there is a gap or delay in data underlying the indicator
[Link to management process/actions and their requirements]