Using the monthly COADS dataset and NMC-NCAR archives we show that significant anomalies of the atmospheric circulation are related to previous SST anomalies in the North Atlantic. A signal over the northwest Labrador Sea in late spring is associated with the dominant mode of SST variability during the preceeding winter. It is more clearly seen in the mid-troposhere than at sea level and appears to be related to the anomalous surface heat exchanges that slowly damp the SST anomalies. In addition, a NAO-like signal in early winter is associated with SST anomalies east of Newfoundland and in the eastern subtropical North Atlantic during the preceeding summer. ¿ 1999 American Geophysical Union