Coherent sea level response to the Antarctic Oscillation

Large‐scale sea level variations around Antarctica were studied and their relationship with atmospheric variations was investigated. Tide gauge data at five coastal stations were used. Coherent sea level variations were clearly detected for all stations on intraseasonal time scales. The coherent variations had significant negative correlations with an index of the atmospheric annular mode variation (Antarctic Oscillation). Coherence was significant for periods from 10 to 100 days with negligible time lag. The negative correlation is consistent with the mechanism that a high (low) westerly anomaly leads to a stronger (weaker) northward Ekman drift and causes divergence (convergence) around Antarctica.