Effects of the quasi-biennial oscillation and the southern oscillation on the northern hemisphere circulation

The mean 500 mb anomaly pattern for winter 1976 (December 1975 to February 1976) is shown in Fig. 1 (based on data supplied by the Meteorological Office, Bracknell). Among the most interesting features are the positive anomaly centred over the east Atlantic, which was associated with more anticyclonic and drier than normal weather over much of Europe especially England and France, and the enhanced upper westerly winds between Iceland and Britain which can be regarded as a contributory cause of the severe gales that affected North Europe on several occasions during the season.