Comparison of eastern Atlantic atmospheric trajectories for present day and last glacial maximum

For three deep sea core positions in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off Africa — GIK 15669 (34°53′N, 7°49′W), GIK 16415 (9°34′N, 19°06′W) and GeoB 1016 (11°46′S, 11°41′E) — 4-day isobaric back trajectories calculated on the 850-hPa level are presented. The trajectories were computed for present day (PD) and for the last glacial maximum (LGM). Cluster analysis was used for a concise assessment of trajectories. The trajectories are clustered by year to investigate the interannual variability of the flow patterns and also by month for investigating the seasonal cycle. The results indicate that for GIK 15669 and GeoB 1016 the flow patterns are the same for both time slices but the wind speed was higher during the LGM. For GIK 16415 the flow pattern changed significantly from the LGM to PD and the wind speed was lower during the LGM.