Combined Oceanic Influences on Continental Climates

This chapter reviews evidence for impacts of ocean anomalies on continental climates, with an emphasis on combined effects from different ocean basins. Particular attention is given to the continental monsoons, which are the most important climatic mode in the tropics. The climatology and interannual-to-interdecadal variations of monsoons have various influences from adjacent and remote ocean conditions. The following sections, 7.2–7.6, deal with the oceanic influences on the West African, South Asian, East Asian, South American, and North American monsoons, respectively. Section 7.7 highlights key points in the chapter.