  The interdecadal variability of a stochastically forced four-box model of the
oceanic meridional thermohaline circulation (THC) is described and compared to
the THC variability in the coupled ocean-atmosphere GCM of Delworth, Manabe,
and Stouffer (1993). The box model is placed in a linearly stable thermally
dominant mean state under mixed boundary conditions. A linear stability
analysis of this state reveals one damped oscillatory THC mode in addition to
purely damped modes. The variability of the model under a moderate amount of
stochastic forcing, meant to emulate the random variability of the atmosphere
affecting the coupled model's interdecadal THC variability, is studied. A
linear interpretation, in which the damped oscillatory mode is of primary
importance, is sufficient for understanding the mechanism accounting for the
stochastically forced variability. Direct comparison of the variability in the
box model and coupled GCM reveals common qualitative aspects. Such a comparison
supports, although does not verify, the hypothesis that the coupled model's THC
variability can be interpreted as the result of atmospheric weather exciting a
linear damped oscillatory THC mode.
