Models show that as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation gets weaker, the Gulf Stream will drift northwards. There are signs that this is already happening, and a more abrupt shift could warn of more severe climate impacts

The modelling is an idealised scenario that does not suggest the AMOC will collapse in 400 years. But it does suggest an abrupt shift in the Gulf Stream could serve as an early warning of an impending AMOC shutdown, the only such prior indicator we know of. While it may be too late at that point to avoid AMOC collapse, Europe could prepare by insulating houses and finding more southerly places to grow food.