The impact of the AMO on wintertime surface wind speed reversal in Northeast Asia

Abstract Decadal variations in seasonal mean surface wind speed (SWS) and their underlying causes remain elusive. Here, we utilize wind data from in situ stations to demonstrate that the stilling reversed around 2002 and that wintertime wind speed in Northeast Asia has rebounded. We illustrate that decadal-scale variations of SWS are closely linked to the phase shift of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). Specifically, an AMO positive phase generates a wave train characterized by a cyclonic anomaly over Northeast Asia, which leads to the strengthened westerly wind, enhanced meridional temperature gradient, and increased transient eddy activities in Northeast Asia. These findings hold vital implications for considering changes in the AMO to gain a comprehensive understanding of SWS variations at the regional scale.