Boundary Layer Coupling between an Explosive Cyclone and the Gulf Stream during Erica
Abstract
We analyzed oceanographic and atmospheric observations collected during the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA) for an explosive cyclone event occurring in December 13-14 1989, labeled IOP-2. This explosive cyclone formed over the Gulf Stream Front adjacent to Cape Hatteras; it developed independently of upper air baroclinicity and subsequently tracked the Gulf Stream to the east from 74 deg. W to 60 deg. W over the following two-day period. We demonstrate here that a kind of boundary layer coupling existed between the Gulf Stream and the explosive cyclone, with the Gulf Stream Front shown able to alter the boundary layer characteristics of the explosive cyclone and the explosive cyclone, in turn, shown able to alter the frontal character of the Gulf Stream. The effect of this boundary layer coupling, which amounted to a positive feedback between ocean and atmosphere, was to increase the gradient structure of the Gulf Stream by 10-20% from 730-60 deg. W over just a few days. The effect of the boundary layer coupling upon the explosive cyclone is unknown. The atmospheric model employed was that of the planetary boundary layer (e.g., Smith, 1988).... Explosive cyclones, ERTCA, Gulf stream.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA261577
Entities
People
- Dave Rogers
- Warren B. White
Organizations
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography