Temperature and surface pressure anomalies in Israel and the North Atlantic Oscillation

Teleconnections associated with changing patterns of temperature and pressu re anomalies over Israel during the second half of the 20th century are inv estigated. Relatively high, statistically significant, correlation coeffici ents of -0.8 and +0.9 were found between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NA O) Index anomalies and smoothed (5 year running mean) cool season temperatu re and surface pressure anomalies in Israel, respectively. A relatively high positive correlation, (r = 0.8) was also found between th e NAO Index anomalies and smoothed geopotential height of the 1000 hPa pres sure level, during the cool season at Bet Dagan radiosonde station located on the Israel Mediterranean coastal plain. Correlation coefficients between NAO Index anomalies and the higher standard pressure levels, 850 and 700 h Pa, decrease gradually and become negative (not statistically significant) for the 500 hPa level.