scholarly journals Energy of Midlatitude Transient Eddies in Idealized Simulations of Changed Climates

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 5797-5806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. O’Gorman ◽  
Tapio Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Thermal Structure ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Static Stability ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Available Potential Energy ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract As the climate changes, changes in static stability, meridional temperature gradients, and availability of moisture for latent heat release may exert competing effects on the energy of midlatitude transient eddies. This paper examines how the eddy kinetic energy in midlatitude baroclinic zones responds to changes in radiative forcing in simulations with an idealized moist general circulation model. In a series of simulations in which the optical thickness of the longwave absorber is varied over a wide range, the eddy kinetic energy has a maximum for a climate with mean temperature similar to that of present-day earth, with significantly smaller values both for warmer and for colder climates. In a series of simulations in which the meridional insolation gradient is varied, the eddy kinetic energy increases monotonically with insolation gradient. In both series of simulations, the eddy kinetic energy scales approximately linearly with the dry mean available potential energy averaged over the baroclinic zones. Changes in eddy kinetic energy can therefore be related to the changes in the atmospheric thermal structure that affect the mean available potential energy.

scholarly journals An Estimate of the Lorenz Energy Cycle for the World Ocean Based on the STORM/NCEP Simulation

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 2185-2205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Song von Storch ◽  
Carsten Eden ◽  
Irina Fast ◽  
Helmuth Haak ◽  
Daniel Hernández-Deckers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
World Ocean ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Available Potential Energy ◽  
Energy Cycle ◽  
Lorenz Energy Cycle ◽  
Surface Buoyancy ◽  
Mean Kinetic Energy

Abstract This paper presents an estimate of the oceanic Lorenz energy cycle derived from a simulation forced by 6-hourly fluxes obtained from NCEP–NCAR reanalysis-1. The total rate of energy generation amounts to 6.6 TW, of which 1.9 TW is generated by the time-mean winds and 2.2 TW by the time-varying winds. The dissipation of kinetic energy amounts to 4.4 TW, of which 3 TW originate from the dissipation of eddy kinetic energy. The energy exchange between reservoirs is dominated by the baroclinic pathway and the pathway that distributes the energy generated by the time-mean winds. The former converts 0.7 to 0.8 TW mean available potential energy to eddy available potential energy and finally to eddy kinetic energy, whereas the latter converts 0.5 TW mean kinetic energy to mean available potential energy. This energy cycle differs from the atmospheric one in two aspects. First, the generation of the mean kinetic and mean available potential energy is each, to a first approximation, balanced by the dissipation. The interaction of the oceanic general circulation with mesoscale eddies is hence less crucial than the corresponding interaction in the atmosphere. Second, the baroclinic pathway in the ocean is facilitated not only by the surface buoyancy flux but also by the winds through a conversion of 0.5 TW mean kinetic energy to mean available potential energy. In the atmosphere, the respective conversion is almost absent and the baroclinic energy pathway is driven solely by the differential heating.

On the Decadal Variability of the Eddy Kinetic Energy in the Kuroshio Extension

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1169-1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
X. San Liang ◽  
Bo Qiu ◽  
Shuiming Chen
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Decadal Variability ◽  
Kuroshio Extension ◽  
Baroclinic Instability ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Barotropic Instability ◽  
Available Potential Energy ◽  
Decadal Modulation

AbstractPrevious studies have found that the decadal variability of eddy kinetic energy (EKE) in the upstream Kuroshio Extension is negatively correlated with the jet strength, which seems counterintuitive at first glance because linear stability analysis usually suggests that a stronger jet would favor baroclinic instability and thus lead to stronger eddy activities. Using a time-varying energetics diagnostic methodology, namely, the localized multiscale energy and vorticity analysis (MS-EVA), and the MS-EVA-based nonlinear instability theory, this study investigates the physical mechanism responsible for such variations with the state estimate from the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO), Phase II. For the first time, it is found that the decadal modulation of EKE is mainly controlled by the barotropic instability of the background flow. During the high-EKE state, violent meanderings efficiently induce strong barotropic energy transfer from mean kinetic energy (MKE) to EKE despite the rather weak jet strength. The reverse is true in the low-EKE state. Although the enhanced meander in the high-EKE state also transfers a significant portion of energy from mean available potential energy (MAPE) to eddy available potential energy (EAPE) through baroclinic instability, the EAPE is not efficiently converted to EKE as the two processes are not well correlated at low frequencies revealed in the time-varying energetics. The decadal modulation of barotropic instability is found to be in pace with the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation but with a time lag of approximately 2 years.

scholarly journals A Detailed Normal-Mode Energetics of the General Circulation of the Atmosphere

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 2718-2732 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. F. Marques ◽  
J. M. Castanheira
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Normal Mode ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Japan Meteorological Agency ◽  
Available Potential Energy ◽  
Conversion Rates ◽  
Zonal Wavenumber ◽  
New Formulation

Abstract An energetics formulation is here introduced that enables an explicit evaluation for the conversion rates between available potential energy and kinetic energy, the nonlinear interactions of both energy forms, and their generation and dissipation rates, in both the zonal wavenumber and vertical mode domains. The conversion rates between available potential energy and kinetic energy are further decomposed into the contributions by the rotational (Rossby) and divergent (gravity) components of the circulation field. The computed energy terms allow one to formulate a detailed energy cycle describing the flow of energy among the zonal mean and eddy components, and also among the barotropic and baroclinic components. This new energetics formulation is a development of the 3D normal-mode energetics scheme. The new formulation is applied on an assessment of the energetics of winter (December–February) circulation in the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40), the 25-yr Japan Meteorological Agency Reanalysis (JRA-25), and the NCEP–Department of Energy Reanalysis 2 (NCEP-R2) datasets.

scholarly journals Scaling Laws and Regime Transitions of Macroturbulence in Dry Atmospheres

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 2153-2173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tapio Schneider ◽  
Christopher C. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Surface Potential ◽  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Eddy Flux ◽  
Available Potential Energy ◽  
Mean Fields ◽  
The Mean

Abstract In simulations of a wide range of circulations with an idealized general circulation model, clear scaling laws of dry atmospheric macroturbulence emerge that are consistent with nonlinear eddy–eddy interactions being weak. The simulations span several decades of eddy energies and include Earth-like circulations and circulations with multiple jets and belts of surface westerlies in each hemisphere. In the simulations, the eddy available potential energy and the barotropic and baroclinic eddy kinetic energy scale linearly with each other, with the ratio of the baroclinic eddy kinetic energy to the barotropic eddy kinetic energy and eddy available potential energy decreasing with increasing planetary radius and rotation rate. Mean values of the meridional eddy flux of surface potential temperature and of the vertically integrated convergence of the meridional eddy flux of zonal momentum generally scale with functions of the eddy energies and the energy-containing eddy length scale, with a few exceptions in simulations with statically near-neutral or neutral extratropical thermal stratifications. Eddy energies scale with the mean available potential energy and with a function of the supercriticality, a measure of the near-surface slope of isentropes. Strongly baroclinic circulations form an extended regime in which eddy energies scale linearly with the mean available potential energy. Mean values of the eddy flux of surface potential temperature and of the vertically integrated eddy momentum flux convergence scale similarly with the mean available potential energy and other mean fields. The scaling laws for the dependence of eddy fields on mean fields exhibit a regime transition between a regime in which the extratropical thermal stratification and tropopause height are controlled by radiation and convection and a regime in which baroclinic entropy fluxes modify the extratropical thermal stratification and tropopause height. At the regime transition, for example, the dependence of the eddy flux of surface potential temperature and the dependence of the vertically integrated eddy momentum flux convergence on mean fields changes—a result with implications for climate stability and for the general circulation of an atmosphere, including its tropical Hadley circulation.

scholarly journals Dynamical Potential Energy: A New Approach to Ocean Energetics

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 457-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabien Roquet
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Power Input ◽  
Ocean Model ◽  
Conservation Of Energy ◽  
Available Potential Energy ◽  
Power Inputs ◽  
Ocean Energetics ◽  
Dynamical Potential

Abstract The concept of available potential energy is supposed to indicate which part of the potential energy is available to transform into kinetic energy. Yet it is impossible to obtain a unique definition of available potential energy for the real ocean because of nonlinearities of the equation of state, rendering its usefulness largely hypothetical. In this paper, the conservation of energy is first reformulated in terms of horizontal anomalies of density and pressure for a simplified ocean model using the Boussinesq and hydrostatic approximations. This framework introduces the concept of “dynamical potential energy,” defined as the horizontal anomaly of potential energy, to replace available potential energy. Modified conservation equations are derived that make it much simpler to identify oceanic power input by buoyancy and mechanical forces. Closed budgets of energy are presented for idealized circulations obtained with a general circulation model, comparing spatial patterns of power inputs generated by wind and thermal forcings. Finally, a generalization of the framework to compressible fluids is presented, opening the way to applications in atmosphere energetics.

Dynamical effect on the Venusian thermal structure simulated by a general circulation model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Ando ◽  
Kotaro Takaya ◽  
Masahiro Takagi ◽  
Norihiko Sugimoto ◽  
Takeshi Imamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Circulation Model ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Polar Region ◽  
Thermal Structure ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Static Stability ◽  
Type Wave ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
Mean Meridional Circulation ◽  
The Mean

<div class="page" title="Page 2"> <div class="layoutArea"> <div class="column"> <p>Distributions of temperature and static stability in the Venus atmosphere consistent with recent radio occultation measurements are reproduced using a general circulation model. A low-stability layer is maintained at low- and mid-latitudes at 50–60 km altitude and is sandwiched by high- and moderate-stability layers extending above 60 and below 50  km, respectively. In the polar region, the low-stability layer is located at 46–63 km altitude and the relatively low-stability layer is also found at 40–46 km altitude. To investigate how these thermal structures form, we examine the dynamical effects of the atmospheric motions on the static stability below 65 km altitude. The results show that the heat transport due to the mean meridional circulation is important at low-latitudes. At mid- and high-latitudes, meanwhile, the baroclinic Rossby-type wave plays an important role in maintaining the thermal structure. In addition, appreciable equatorward heat transport is found to maintain the deep and low-stability layer in the polar region, which might be induced by the interaction between the baroclinic Rossby-type wave in the low-stability layer and the trapped Rossby-type wave below it.</p> </div> </div> </div>

scholarly journals Downstream Self-Destruction of Storm Tracks

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 2459-2464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohai Kaspi ◽  
Tapio Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Rotation Rate ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Storm Tracks ◽  
Planetary Rotation ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Longitudinal Length

Abstract The Northern Hemisphere storm tracks have maximum intensity over the Pacific and Atlantic basins; their intensity is reduced over the continents downstream. Here, simulations with an idealized aquaplanet general circulation model are used to demonstrate that even without continents, storm tracks have a self-determined longitudinal length scale. Their length is controlled primarily by the planetary rotation rate and is similar to that of Earth’s storm tracks for Earth’s rotation rate. Downstream, storm tracks self-destruct: the downstream eddy kinetic energy is lower than it would be without the zonal asymmetries that cause localized storm tracks. Likely involved in the downstream self-destruction of storm tracks are the energy fluxes associated with them. The zonal asymmetries that cause localized storm tracks enhance the energy transport through the generation of stationary eddies, and this leads to a reduced baroclinicity that persists far downstream of the eddy kinetic energy maxima.

scholarly journals A Mechanism of the MJO Invoking Scale Interactions

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 5.1-5.16 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. Krishnamurti ◽  
Ruby Krishnamurti ◽  
Anu Simon ◽  
Aype Thomas ◽  
Vinay Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Eddy Kinetic Energy ◽  
Synoptic Scale ◽  
Scale Interactions ◽  
Available Potential Energy ◽  
Nonlinear Scale ◽  
Interaction Problem ◽  
Similar Organization ◽  
Organized Convection

This chapter distinguishes the mechanism of tropical convective disturbances, such as a hurricane, from that of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). The hurricane is maintained by organized convection around the azimuth. In a hurricane the organization of convection, the generation of eddy available potential energy, and the transformation of eddy available potential energy into eddy kinetic energy all occur on the scale of the hurricane and these are called “in-scale processes,” which invoke quadratic nonlinearity. The MJO is not a hurricane type of disturbance; organized convection simply does not drive an MJO in the same manner. The maintenance of the MJO is more akin to a multibody problem where the convection is indeed organized on scales of tropical synoptic disturbances that carry a similar organization of convection and carry similar roles for the generation of eddy available potential energy and its conversion to the eddy kinetic energy for their maintenance. The maintenance of the MJO is a scale interaction problem that comes next, where pairs of synoptic-scale disturbances are shown to interact with a member of the MJO time scale, thus contributing to its maintenance. This chapter illustrates the organization of convection, synoptic-scale energetics, and nonlinear scale interactions to show the above aspects for the mechanism of the MJO.

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