Atlantic Meridional Mode

The Atlantic Meridional Mode (AMM) is a climate pattern involving fluctuations in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric conditions across the tropical North Atlantic Ocean. When the western part of the tropical Atlantic becomes warmer than usual, it creates conditions that can influence weather patterns, such as increased rainfall in some regions and stronger hurricane activity. Conversely, cooler conditions can suppress such weather. The AMM is important because it interacts with other climate systems, affecting climate variability on seasonal to annual scales, and helps scientists understand and predict changes in weather and climate around the Atlantic basin and beyond.