Dynamical Systems Modeling of Low-frequency Variability in Low-order Atmospheric Models

The understanding of atmospheric and oceanic low-frequency variability is an old problem having both theoretical interest and practical importance, e.g., for the assessment of climate change. In this paper possible relations with dynamical systems theory are given, in particular through bifurcation theory. Firstly, a specific type of oceanic low frequency variability is described, the so-called Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). Then recent work is reviewed, that investigates bifurcations as these occur in a few low-order models of the atmospheric circulation. It is shown that the Shilnikov bifurcation in the Hopf-saddle-node bifurcation scenario takes place in each of the above atmospheric models. Related strange attractors and intermittency behavior are also found, both in agreement with the theoretical expectations and with qualitative aspects of the climate variability, like the AMO. It is discussed how the latter connection may be consolidated in higher dimensional and in PDE models.