WCD-33. Insights from the search for a more descriptive index of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

Abstract
The majority of the existing indices for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) focus heavily on capturing the annual variation in the strength of the surface layer northward transport aspect of the circulation. With observation-based statistical models, it is difficult to capture higher levels of detail meaningfully, like higher frequency variations or full vertical profiles of transport, because of the relatively short time period for which in situ observations are available. Here I describe a set of insights derived from RAPID array data while pursuing a new index which can capture both the overall strength and the vertical distribution of the AMOC at shorter timescales. I also present the results to date of these efforts to develop a new index and compare and contrast them with existing observations, indices, and reanalyses.