scholarly journals The thermocline biases in the tropical North Pacific and their attributions

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Yuchao Zhu ◽  
Rong-Hua Zhang ◽  
Delei Li ◽  
Dake Chen
Keyword(s):  
North Pacific ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Wind Stress Curl ◽  
Surface Wind Stress ◽  
Dipole Structure ◽  
Sign Change ◽  
Double Itcz ◽  
Northeastern Pacific ◽  
North Equatorial Counter Current

AbstractThe tropical thermocline plays an important role in regulating equatorial sea surface temperature (SST); at present, it is still poorly simulated in the state-of-the-art climate models. In this paper, thermocline biases in the tropical North Pacific are investigated using the newly released CMIP6 historical simulations. It is found that CMIP6 models tend to produce an overly shallow thermocline in the northwestern tropics, accompanied by a deep thermocline in the northeastern tropics. A pronounced thermocline strength bias arises in the tropical northeastern Pacific, demonstrating a dipole structure with a sign change at about 8° N. These thermocline biases are accompanied with biases in the simulations of oceanic circulations, including a too weak North Equatorial Counter Current (NECC), a reduction in water exchanges between the subtropics and the equatorial regions, and an eastward extension of the equatorward interior water transport. The causes of these thermocline biases are further analyzed. The thermocline bias is primarily caused by the model deficiency in simulating the surface wind stress curl, which can be further attributed to the longstanding double-ITCZ bias in the tropical North Pacific. Besides, thermocline strength bias can be partly attributed to the poor prescription of oceanic background diffusivity. By constraining the diffusivity to match observations, the thermocline strength in the tropical northeastern Pacific is greatly increased.

Frontal Scale Air–Sea Interaction in High-Resolution Coupled Climate Models

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (23) ◽  
pp. 6277-6291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank O. Bryan ◽  
Robert Tomas ◽  
John M. Dennis ◽  
Dudley B. Chelton ◽  
Norman G. Loeb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Climate System Model ◽  
Surface Wind Stress ◽  
Coupled Climate Models

Abstract The emerging picture of frontal scale air–sea interaction derived from high-resolution satellite observations of surface winds and sea surface temperature (SST) provides a unique opportunity to test the fidelity of high-resolution coupled climate simulations. Initial analysis of the output of a suite of Community Climate System Model (CCSM) experiments indicates that characteristics of frontal scale ocean–atmosphere interaction, such as the positive correlation between SST and surface wind stress, are realistically captured only when the ocean component is eddy resolving. The strength of the coupling between SST and surface stress is weaker than observed, however, as has been found previously for numerical weather prediction models and other coupled climate models. The results are similar when the atmospheric component model grid resolution is doubled from 0.5° to 0.25°, an indication that shortcomings in the representation of subgrid scale atmospheric planetary boundary layer processes, rather than resolved scale processes, are responsible for the weakness of the coupling. In the coupled model solutions the response to mesoscale SST features is strongest in the atmospheric boundary layer, but there is a deeper reaching response of the atmospheric circulation apparent in free tropospheric clouds. This simulated response is shown to be consistent with satellite estimates of the relationship between mesoscale SST and all-sky albedo.

On the theory of the wind-driven ocean circulation

1962 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. F. Carrier ◽  
A. R. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Wind Stress ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Inviscid Flow ◽  
Relative Vorticity ◽  
Wind Stress Curl ◽  
Meridional Transport ◽  
Surface Distribution ◽  
Surface Wind Stress ◽  
Mean Circulation

A surface distribution of stress is imposed on an ocean enclosed by two continental boundaries; the resulting transport circulation is studied between two latitudes of zero surface wind-stress curl, within which the curl reaches a single maximum. Under the assumption that turbulent transfer of relative vorticity has a minimum effect on the mean circulation, inviscid flow patterns are deduced in the limit of small transport Rossby number. Inertial currents, or naturally scaled regions of high relative vorticity, occur on both the eastern and the western continental coasts. Limits on the relative transports of the currents are obtained and found to depend on the direction of variation of the wind-stress curl with latitude, relative to that of the Coriolis accelerations. The most striking feature of the inviscid flow is a narrow inertial current the axis of which lies along the latitude of maximum wind-stress curl. All eastward flow occurs in this midlatitude jet.A feature of the flow which cannot remain essentially free of turbulent processes is the integrated vorticity relationship, since the imposed wind-stress distribution acts as a net source of vorticity for the ocean. Heuristic arguments are used together with this integral constraint to deduce the presence and strength of the turbulent diffusion which must occur in the region of the mid-latitude jet. It is further inferred that the turbulent meanders of the jet must effect a net meridional transport of relative vorticity.

Observations of SST-Induced Perturbations of the Wind Stress Field over the Southern Ocean on Seasonal Timescales

2003 ◽  
Vol 16 (14) ◽  
pp. 2340-2354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry W. O'Neill ◽  
Dudley B. Chelton ◽  
Steven K. Esbensen
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Wind Stress Curl ◽  
Latitude Range ◽  
Surface Wind Stress ◽  
Secondary Circulations ◽  
Vertical Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Wind Stress Field ◽  
Sst Fronts

Abstract The surface wind stress response to sea surface temperature (SST) over the latitude range 30°–60°S in the Southern Ocean is described from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's QuikSCAT scatterometer observations of wind stress and Reynolds analyses of SST during the 2-yr period August 1999 to July 2001. While ocean–atmosphere coupling at midlatitudes has previously been documented from several case studies, this is the first study to quantify this relation over the entire Southern Ocean. The spatial structures of the surface wind perturbations with wavelengths shorter than 10° latitude by 30° longitude are closely related to persistent spatial variations of the SST field on the same scales. The wind stress curl and divergence are shown to be linearly related, respectively, to the crosswind and downwind components of the SST gradient. The curl response has a magnitude only about half that of the divergence response. This observed coupling is consistent with the hypothesis that SST modification of marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) stability affects vertical turbulent mixing of momentum, inducing perturbations in the surface winds. The nonequivalence between the responses of the curl and divergence to the crosswind and downwind SST gradients suggests that secondary circulations in the MABL may also play an important role by producing significant perturbations in the surface wind field near SST fronts that are distinct from the vertical turbulent transfer of momentum. The importance of the wind stress curl in driving Ekman vertical velocity in the open ocean implies that the coupling between winds and SST may have important feedback effects on upper ocean processes near SST fronts.

An Assessment of the Sea Surface Temperature Influence on Surface Wind Stress in Numerical Weather Prediction and Climate Models

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 2743-2762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D. Maloney ◽  
Dudley B. Chelton
Keyword(s):  
Wind Stress ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Grid Resolution ◽  
Coupling Coefficients ◽  
Surface Wind Stress ◽  
Current Systems

Abstract The ability of six climate models to capture the observed coupling between SST and surface wind stress in the vicinity of strong midlatitude SST fronts is analyzed. The analysis emphasizes air–sea interactions associated with ocean meanders in the eastward extensions of major western boundary current systems such as the Gulf Stream, Kuroshio, and Agulhas Current. Satellite observations of wind stress from the SeaWinds scatterometer on NASA’s Quick Scatterometer and SST from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer clearly indicate the influence of SST on surface wind stress on scales smaller than about 30° longitude × 10° latitude. Spatially high-pass-filtered SST and wind stress variations are linearly related, with higher SST associated with higher wind stress. The influence of SST on wind stress is also clearly identifiable in the ECMWF operational forecast model, having a grid resolution of 0.35° × 0.35° (T511). However, the coupling coefficient between wind stress and SST, as indicated by the slope of the linear least squares fit, is only half as strong as for satellite observations. The ability to simulate realistic air–sea interactions is present to varying degrees in the coupled climate models examined. The Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate 3.2 (MIROC3.2) high-resolution version (HIRES) (1.1° × 1.1°, T106) and the NCAR Community Climate System Model 3.0 (1.4° × 1.4°, T85) are the highest-resolution models considered and produce the most realistic air–sea coupling associated with midlatitude current systems. Coupling coefficients between SST and wind stress in MIROC3.2_HIRES and the NCAR model are at least comparable to those in the ECMWF operational model. The spatial scales of midlatitude SST variations and SST-induced wind perturbations in MIROC3.2_HIRES are comparable to those of satellite observations. The spatial scales of SST variability in the NCAR model are larger than those in the ECMWF model and satellite observations, and hence the spatial scales of SST-induced perturbations in the wind fields are larger. It is found that the ability of climate models to simulate air–sea interactions degrades with decreasing grid resolution. SST anomalies in the GFDL Climate Model 2.0 (CM2.0) (2.0° × 2.5°), Met Office Third Hadley Centre Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere General Circulation Model (HadCM3) (2.5° × 3.8°), and MIROC3.2 medium-resolution version (MEDRES) (2.8° × 2.8°, T42) have larger spatial scales and are more geographically confined than in the higher-resolution models. The GISS Model E20/Russell (4.0° × 5.0°) is unable to resolve the midlatitude ocean eddies that produce prominent air–sea interaction. Notably, MIROC3.2_MEDRES exhibits much weaker coupling between wind stress and SST than does the higher vertical and horizontal resolution version of the same model. GFDL CM2.0 and Met Office HadCM3 exhibit a linear relationship between SST and wind stress. However, coupling coefficients for the Met Office model are significantly weaker than in the GFDL and higher-resolution models. In addition to model grid resolution (both vertical and horizontal), deficiencies in the parameterization of boundary layer processes may be responsible for some of these differences in air–sea coupling between models and observations.

scholarly journals SST–Wind Interaction in Coastal Upwelling: Oceanic Simulation with Empirical Coupling

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 2957-2970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Jin ◽  
Changming Dong ◽  
Jaison Kurian ◽  
James C. McWilliams ◽  
Dudley B. Chelton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Stress ◽  
Coastal Upwelling ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Wind Stress Curl ◽  
Intermediate Space ◽  
Surface Wind Stress ◽  
Wind Stress Field ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Anticyclonic Eddies ◽  
Current Systems

Abstract Observations, primarily from satellites, have shown a statistical relationship between the surface wind stress and underlying sea surface temperature (SST) on intermediate space and time scales, in many regions inclusive of eastern boundary upwelling current systems. In this paper, this empirical SST–wind stress relationship is utilized to provide a simple representation of mesoscale air–sea coupling for an oceanic model forced by surface winds, namely, the Regional Oceanic Modeling System (ROMS). This model formulation is applied to an idealized upwelling problem with prevailing equatorward winds to determine the coupling consequences on flow, SST, stratification, and wind evolutions. The initially uniform wind field adjusts through coupling to a cross-shore profile with weaker nearshore winds, similar to realistic ones. The modified wind stress weakens the nearshore upwelling circulation and increases SST in the coastal zone. The SST-induced wind stress curl strengthens offshore upwelling through Ekman suction. The total curl-driven upwelling exceeds the coastal upwelling. The SST-induced changes in the nearshore wind stress field also strengthen and broaden the poleward undercurrent. The coupling also shows significant impact on the developing mesoscale eddies by damaging cyclonic eddies more than anticyclonic eddies, which leads to dominance by the latter. Dynamically, this is a consequence of cyclones with stronger SST gradients that induce stronger wind perturbations in this particular upwelling problem and that are therefore generally more susceptible to disruption than anticyclones at finite Rossby number. The net effect is a weakening of eddy kinetic energy.

scholarly journals Increased Eddy Activity in the Northeastern Pacific during 1993–2011

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 387-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengrong Ding ◽  
Pengfei Lin ◽  
Hailong Liu ◽  
Fei Chai
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wind ◽  
Mesoscale Eddy ◽  
Wind Stress Curl ◽  
Eddy Activity ◽  
The North ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Northeastern Pacific ◽  
North Pacific Gyre Oscillation ◽  
Decadal Climate ◽  
Anticyclonic Eddies

Abstract The authors study the long-term behaviors of eddy activity in the northeastern Pacific (NEP) and the dynamic mechanism behind them, using the third version of the mesoscale eddy trajectory dataset released by Chelton and Schlax as well as other observation and reanalysis datasets. Both the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) and eddy occurrence number (EON) present prominent increases, with interannual and decadal variabilities northeast of the Hawaiian–Emperor seamounts. The increasing EON is mainly due to the prolongation of eddy lifetimes associated with eddy intensification, particularly for anticyclonic eddies (AEs). The prolongation of eddy lifetimes results from weakened surface winds. The enhanced anticyclonic wind stress curl (WSC) injects more energy into the AEs in the study domain, providing a more suitable environment for their growth. The decadal climate modes, such as the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) and the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO), may also modulate eddy activity in the NEP by exerting fluctuations in the surface wind system.

Summertime Influence of SST on Surface Wind Stress off the U.S. West Coast from the U.S. Navy COAMPS Model*

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 2414-2437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Haack ◽  
Dudley Chelton ◽  
Julie Pullen ◽  
James D. Doyle ◽  
Michael Schlax
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Mesoscale Model ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Gradient Field ◽  
Wind Stress Curl ◽  
Surface Wind Stress ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Sst Gradient

Abstract High-resolution mesoscale model sea surface temperature (SST) analyses and surface wind stress forecasts off the U.S. West Coast are analyzed on monthly time scales for robust signatures of air–sea interaction as the surface winds encounter ocean surface features such as SST fronts, filaments, and eddies. This interaction is manifest by the linear relationship, or coupling coefficient, between the downwind SST gradient and wind stress divergence and between the crosswind SST gradient and wind stress curl evident from analysis of fields averaged over 29 days. This study examines fields from the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) model, spanning the summer months, June–September, for four consecutive years, 2002–05. Relative to several models evaluated previously, coupling coefficients are much closer to those calculated from Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) satellite measurements. In addition, the summertime correlation between the wind stress derivative field and its corresponding SST gradient field on monthly time scales agrees well with satellite-derived correlations. Sensible and latent heat flux fields are also analyzed for features indicative of pronounced air–sea exchange associated with SST influence.

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