Understanding the relationship between the weakening AMOC current and El Niño

By Ben Cathey – MPR news

We had a terrific set of weather and climate questions, split between two panels at the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair this week. One really had me stumped, as a local listener asked about the relationship between El Niño and the weakening AMOC current that runs the length of the Atlantic Ocean. What’s the AMOC, anyways? Here’s what the National Ocean Service section of NOAA says:

“AMOC stands for Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The AMOC circulates water from north to south and back in a long cycle within the Atlantic Ocean. This circulation brings warmth to various parts of the globe and also carries nutrients necessary to sustain ocean life.”