Objective Estimates of Westward Rossby Wave and Eddy Propagation from Sea Surface Height Analyses
Abstract
An objective method to estimate westward propagation of sea surface height (SSH) anomalies is introduced and compared to a subjective technique. Both approaches use time series extracted from global SSH analyses, prepared by optimal interpolation of altimeter data, as described in detail. The cost function used in the objective method calculates the mean along-slope standard deviation, where slope is the reciprocal of propagation speed and defines the angle of linear samples through the SSH time series along each transect. The along-slope standard deviation can be computed as an extension of the Radon transform, as shown. The optimum speed estimate minimizes the cost function, and speeds with mean along-slope standard deviation within 1% of the minimum define the range of uncertainty.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 17, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA503742
Entities
People
- A. Birol Kara
- C. N. Barron
- Gregg Jacobs
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory