The Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response to Small-Scale Atmospheric Jets

Abstract

The long-term goal of this project is to better understand the general problem of ocean-atmosphere interaction on small space and time scales. The objective of this work is to better understand the coupled response to small-scale atmospheric jets that are commonly observed near orographic features such as islands and mountain passes. The initial focus will be to determine how the atmosphere forces, and adjusts to, sharp gradients in sea surface temperature, and to look for a positive feedback between sea surface temperature and surface winds that may drive resonant modes of variability. Areas of focus include: oceanic frontogenesis; atmospheric boundary layer turbulence, surface wind stress (curl and divergence); boundary layer thickness; mesoscale and sub-mesoscale variability.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2006
Accession Number
ADA611948

Entities

People

  • Michael A. Spall

Organizations

  • Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheres
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Cold Water
  • Couplings
  • Electronic Mail
  • Latitude
  • Layers
  • Oceans
  • Sea Surface Temperature
  • South China Sea
  • Stresses
  • Surface Temperature
  • Turbulent Boundary Layer
  • Turbulent Mixing
  • Waves
  • Wind Stress

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers

Technology Areas

  • Space