arrow
Return

Assessing AMOC stability using a Bayesian nested time-dependent autoregressive model

delete2025-10-20
delete0
delete
OA
AI
L
Luc Hallali *
E
Eirik Myrvoll-Nilsen
C
Christian L. E. Franzke
DOI:10.5194/npg-32-383-2025delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a major climate element subject to possible ongoing loss of stability. Recent studies have found evidence of a gradual weakening in circulation, including early warning signals (EWSs), such as increased fluctuations and correlation time of the system, which are both known to be indicators of a possible forthcoming tipping point. To assess these changes in statistical behavior, we propose a robust and general statistical model based on a second-order autoregressive process with time-dependent parameters. This allows for the statistical changes from increased external variability and destabilization to be accounted for separately. We estimate the time evolution of the correlation parameters using a hierarchical Bayesian modeling framework, which also yields uncertainty quantification through the posterior distribution. To assess possible changes in AMOC stability, we apply the model to an AMOC fingerprint proxy based on the subpolar gyre and the global mean temperature anomaly. We find statistically significant EWSs, which suggests that AMOC is indeed undergoing a loss of stability and is getting closer to a tipping point. The methodology developed in this study is made publicly available as an extension of the R-package INLA.ews.
Keywords:
MERIDIONAL OVERTURNING CIRCULATION
ICE-CORE
THERMOHALINE CIRCULATION
CLIMATE
INSTABILITY
EVENTS

Journal

N
Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics
IF:
2.4
Papers:
20
Citations:
0

Organization

I
institute for basic science - korea (ibs)
Scholars:
6.6K
Papers: 5.2K
Citations: 13
U
uit the arctic university of tromso
Scholars:
9.7K
Papers: 8.6K
Citations: 10