Quantifying Southern Annular Mode paleo-reconstruction skill in a model framework

Abstract. Past attempts to reconstruct the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) using paleo-archives have resulted in records which can differ significantly from one another prior window over proxies are calibrated. This study quantify not only skill with we may expect SAM but also assess contribution of regional bias proxy selection and impact non-stationary proxy–SAM teleconnections on a resulting reconstruction. is achieved pseudoproxy framework output GFDL CM2.1 global climate model. Reconstructions derived precipitation fields perform better, 89 % reconstructions calibrated 61 year able reproduce at least 50 inter-annual variance SAM, as opposed just 25 for surface air temperature (SAT)-derived reconstructions. Non-stationarity teleconnections, defined here, plays small role reconstructions, range reconstruction negligible. most likely be skilful when sourced geographically broad region network size 70 proxies.