Atmospheric response to sharp SST gradients - by
Justin Small
Justin is interested in the response of the atmosphere
to sharp SST gradients. His previous work focused on the Equatorial
Front region (Small et al 2003, JCLI, Small et al 2005 JAS) whilst
his current work is on the response to the Gulf Stream. The background
conditions of the atmosphere in these two regions are very different
(steady trade winds vs mid-latitude storm track) yet there are
some indications that the boundary layer response is similar,
as seen from observations (Chelton et al 2001 JCLI, Hashizume
et al 2001, JGR, Chelton et al 2004 Science, Xie 2004 BAMS).
Justin has been using a regional atmospheric model
to study the effects, forced at the surface by evolving SST from
AMSR-E, and at the lateral boundaries by NCEP/NCAR reanalysis.
He wants to use the model to look at the response of a set of
synoptic low pressure systems to the Gulf Stream. He would also
like to look at interannual variability of storm track and the
link to the Gulf Stream, (but that may be ambitious using a regional
model).
The figure below shows how the 10 m wind speed is
clearly modulated by the Gulf Stream path. These results, from
the model, closely relate to those observed. Future work will
analyse the deeper response, boundary layer and possibly beyond.
Regarding publications relevant
to the WG, Justin suggests some related to the question ‘What is the nature
of air-sea interaction in the western boundary current regions?’.
Focusing on the Gulf Stream, there were a number of relevant
papers in the 80s and 90s particularly on the Genesis of Atlantic
Lows Experiment (GALE).
References:
Dirks et al 1988, BAMS, GALE overview
Sweet et al 1981, MWR, in situ flights over GS
Riordan and Lin 1992 MWR coastal front response to GS
Holt and Raman 1992, MWR
Wayland and Raman, 1989, BLM
Hobbs 1987 GRL, rainband over GS
Young and Sikora 2003, mwr, clouds and boundary layer circulations
over GS
Model studies:
Wai and Stage 1989 QJRMS
Huang and Raman 1988 BLM
Song et al 2007 JGR (in press)
Reed et al 1992, MWR, regional model
Doyle and Warner 1990, 1992, MWR, mesoscale modeling for GALE
Li, Y et al 2002, JGR, mesoscale modeling over GALE
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