Abstract.A quasi-geostrophic model of Southern Hemisphere's wintertime atmospheric circulation with horizontal resolution T21 has been coupled to a global ocean circulation model with a resolution of 2 • × 2 • and simplified physics. This simplified coupled model reproduces qualitatively some features of the first and the second EOF of atmospheric 833 hPa geopotential height in accordance with NCEP data. The variability patterns of the simplified coupled model have been compared with variability patterns simulated by four complex state-of-the-art coupled CMIP5 models. The first EOF of the simplified model is too zonal and does not reproduce the right position of the centre of action over the Pacific Ocean and its extension to the tropics. The agreement in the second EOF between the simplified and the CMIP5 models is better. The total variance of the simplified model is weaker than the observational variance and those of the CMIP5 models. The transport properties of the Southern Ocean circulation are in qualitative accord with observations. The simplified model exhibits skill in reproducing essential features of decadal and multi-decadal climate variability in the extratropical Southern Hemisphere. Notably, 800 yr long coupled model simulations reveal sea surface temperature fluctuations on the timescale of several decades in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current region.

The design and implementation of a simplified coupled atmosphere-ocean model over mid and high Southern Hemisphere latitudes are described. The development of the model is motivated by the clear indications of important low-frequency variability of extratropical origin in atmosphere-only models and the crucial role of atmosphere-ocean interaction in altering and shaping the climate variability on decadal and multidecadal time-scales. The basic model consists of an idealized quasi-geostrophic model of Southern Hemisphere's wintertime atmospheric circulation coupled to a general ocean circulation model with simplified physics. Model spin-up is described, some basic descriptors of the model climatology are discussed, and it is argued that the model exhibits skill in reproducing essential features of decadal and multi-decadal climate variability in the extratropical Southern Hemisphere. Notably, 1000 yr long coupled model simulations reveal sea surface temperature fluctuations on the timescale of several decades in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current region