Characteristics of Atmospheric Forcing Functions.
Abstract
The hypothesis that both the timing and magnitude of strong and weak atmospheric forcing events can have a significant effect on the seasonal evolution of the upper ocean thermal structure is investigated. Long time series of observations of meteorological data from ocean weather ships P, V, and N in the north Pacific Ocean are used to summarize the characteristics of the atmospheric forcing and the coean thermal response during the January to August period. The forcing is expressed in terms of u*3, where u* is the atmospheric friction velocity, and in terms of the upward heat flux. Although the total input of the three-hourly u*3 is quite different at all three stations, about 20% of the largest u*3 values contribute 50% of the accumulated u*3 and 50% account for 17% of the total at each station. Synoptic forcing events are defined as sustained periods during which the daily mean forcing exceeds the long-term mean. Between 68 and 75% of the total u*3 occurs during roughly one-third of the time associated with synoptic forcing events defined in terms of u*3. A significant fraction of the sea-surface temperature increase occurs during periods of low wind speed, rather than periods of excessive insolation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA045177
Entities
People
- Sharon Dill Raney
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School