One-Dimensional Model Hindcasts of Cold Anomalies in the North Pacific Ocean.
Abstract
Two cases of pronounced, long-term cold anomalies from the North Pacific Ocean Experiment TRANSPAC monthly analyses during 1976-79 are studied. The first case developed after October 1977 and persisted to June 1978. Two periods of amplification of the anomaly are identified. The second anomaly was the most extreme cold anomaly in the four-year sample. The relationships between local atmospheric forcing, and the development, existence and decay of the anomalies are examined with the Garwood ocean mixed layer model. In the first case, the fall deepening period was hindcast very well. However, the period of sprint transition and seasonal warming were not well predicted. It is deduced that the most likely cause of the errors is inaccurate atmosphereic forcing. In the second case, the model predictions are very sensitive to the surface heat flux. This anomaly cannot be satisfactorily simulated with the Garwood model. This appears to be due to large uncertainties in the surface heat flux fields in the summer. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA139870
Entities
People
- G. L. Stringer
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School