Correlations between Eddy Heat Fluxes and Baroclinic Instability.
Abstract
The two-layer model baroclinic stability parameter, meridional surface temperature gradients, and monthly mean meridional stationary, transient and total eddy heat transports, computed as functions of latitude and longitude for three individual Januaries, are described and discussed. Correlation analyses for all possible combinations are computed, and relationships between these quantities are discussed. The results indicate that no direct relationship exists between stationary eddy heat transports and baroclinically unstable conditions. However, a direct relationship is found between transient eddy heat transports and baroclinically unstable conditions. For example, the correlation between the transient eddy flux and the two-layer instability parameter is .52, which is statistically significant at the 99% confidence level. However, the strength of the correlation suggests that the degree of baroclinic instability only accounts for some of the variation in the transient eddy heat transport. Apparently, other factors also play an important role in the forcing of transient eddy heat transports. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA105391
Entities
People
- Richard St. Pierre
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology