Interannual-to-decadal variability and predictability in South Atlantic and Southern Indian Oceans

Interannual-to-decadal sea surface temperature (SST) variability in South Atlantic and southern Indian Oceans has substantial influence on austral summer rainfall over southern Africa through modulation of atmospheric circulation. This chapter provides a review of previous findings on physical processes and predictability of the interannual SST variability, so-called “subtropical dipole,” which is characterized by a meridional dipole pattern of SST anomalies in each basin. In addition, a recently identified decadal SST variability, which shows distinct eastward propagation of SST anomalies along the Antarctic Circumpolar Current from the South Atlantic to the southern Indian Ocean, is briefly described.