Baroclinic Rossby Wave Signature in a General Circulation Ocean Model.
Abstract
Monthly mean values of temperature output of a ten-year period (1969-78) from a three-dimensional primitive equation ocean model are used to compute isotherm displacements at eight selected grid points in the North Pacific Ocean. The ocean model input parameters are climatological radiation, clouds, surface air temperature, surface humidity and six-hourly synoptic winds taken from Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center analyses. The first five baroclinic modes are computed from the mean temperature profiles at the eight selected model grid points and these modes are then fit in the time domain to the isotherm displacements. The fit shows evidence of baroclinic free Rossby waves in the time domain at the selected grid points south of 40N and indicates the predominance of the first baroclinic mode. At the selected grid points north of 40N, the results are inconclusive. This is due to the longer periods required at the northern latitudes, the neglect of salinity, and masking by a strong seasonal signal caused by surface heating and cooling at higher latitudes. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA132219
Entities
People
- Arno H. Rutsch
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School