Phases of Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)...

The PDO has two main phases:


         Warm (Positive) Phase


                   Higher-than-normal sea surface temperatures (SSTs) off the west coast of North America.

                   Below-average SSTs in the central and western North Pacific.                   


                    Associated with:


                                       Damp conditions in the southwestern United States

                                       Milder winters in western North America

                                       Amplified El Niño-like impacts


                        Cool (Negative) Phase