Atmospheric Response to Zonal Variations in Midlatitude SST: Transient and Stationary Eddies and Their Feedback*

Inatsu, Masaru; Mukougawa, Hitoshi; Xie, Shang‐Ping

doi:10.1175/1520-0442(2003)016<3314:artzvi>2.0.co;2

Cited by 50 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…This result is the same whether the transient component is a negative or a positive Nangan DJF. This is consistent with previous studies (Inatsu et al 2003;Xie et al 2002), and indicates a close relationship between the growth rate of the cyclone intensity and the background state, as predicted by linear baroclinic theory.…”

Section: Ensemble Meanssupporting

confidence: 93%

Wintertime extratropical cyclone frequency around Japan

Inatsu

Terakura

2011

Clim Dyn

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Data analysis and regional atmospheric model (RAM) experiments revealed key factors in the control of wintertime cyclone passage routes from Northeast Asia to the western North Pacific. The cyclone routes were independent of the global flow pattern in the interannual variability, while cyclone growth closely agreed with linear baroclinic theory. The RAM experiments with a different lateral boundary condition composed of a combination of monthly mean and transient components also showed that the upstream eddies are important for the track route, but the background states are not. Additionally, the RAM experiments showed that the mean flow controlled the growth rate of cyclones.

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Section: Ensemble Meanssupporting

confidence: 93%

Wintertime extratropical cyclone frequency around Japan

Inatsu

Terakura

2011

Clim Dyn

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“…An outstanding question is whether, and how, oceanic low-frequency variability found in this study induces a large-scale response in the atmosphere. In this regard, reported systematic changes in the stormtrack activity and its feedback forcing onto the Pacific North American pattern associated with decadal SST anomalies in the KOE region, a finding consistent with a hypothesis that oceanic fronts maintain baroclinicity in the atmospheric boundary layer and thereby influence storm-track activity (Inatsu et al 2003;Nakamura et al 2004). To further explore this possible large-scale atmospheric adjustment, numerical experiments using high-resolution atmospheric models (Ohfuchi et al 2004(Ohfuchi et al , 2005Taguchi 2006) are ongoing.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Decadal Variability of the Kuroshio Extension: Observations and an Eddy-Resolving Model Hindcast*

et al. 2007

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Low-frequency variability of the Kuroshio Extension (KE) is studied using observations and a multidecadal hindcast by a high-resolution (0.1°), eddy-resolving, global ocean general circulation model for the Earth Simulator (OFES). In both the OFES hindcast and satellite altimeter observations, low-frequency sea surface height (SSH) variability in the North Pacific is high near the KE front. An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis indicates that much of the SSH variability in the western North Pacific east of Japan is explained by two modes with meridional structures tightly trapped along the KE front. The first mode represents a southward shift and to a lesser degree, an acceleration of the KE jet associated with the 1976/77 shift in basin-scale winds. The second mode reflects quasi-decadal variations in the intensity of the KE jet. Both the spatial structure and time series of these modes derived from the hindcast are in close agreement with observations.A linear Rossby wave model forced by observed wind successfully reproduces the time series of the leading OFES modes but fails to explain why their meridional structure is concentrated on the KE front and inconsistent with the broadscale wind forcing. Further analysis suggests that KE variability may be decomposed into broad-and frontal-scale components in the meridional direction-the former following the linear Rossby wave solution and the latter closely resembling ocean intrinsic modes derived from an OFES run forced by climatological winds. The following scenario is suggested for low-frequency KE variability: basin-scale wind variability excites broadscale Rossby waves, which propagate westward, triggering intrinsic modes of the KE jet and reorganizing SSH variability in space.

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“…Recent observational studies have indicated that SSTAs in the KOE region caused by the ocean dynamics can feedback to the overlying atmosphere as their influence on near surface stratification and wind profiles (Nonaka and Xie 2003;Xie 2004) and turbulent heat fluxes (Tanimoto et al 2003). How SSTAs along such a midlatitude oceanic front as the subarctic or KE front can modify atmospheric baroclinicity and thereby storm track activity is also particular scientific significance (e.g., Tanimoto et al 2003;Nakamura and Simpo 2004;Inatsu et al 2003). We are planning to investigate the possible oceanic influence on the atmospheric circulation by using our high resolution atmospheric GCM on the Earth Simulator, AFES (Ohfuchi et al 2004(Ohfuchi et al , 2005.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decadal Variability in the Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension Simulated in an Eddy-Resolving OGCM

et al. 2006

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Through analysis of a hindcast integration of an eddy-resolving quasi-global ocean general circulation model, decadal variability in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension region is investigated, with particular emphasis on that of the subarctic (Oyashio) and the Kuroshio Extension (KE) fronts. The KE front is deep and accompanied by sharp sea surface height (SSH) gradient with modest sea surface temperature (SST) gradient. In contrast, the subarctic front is shallow and recognized as a zone of tight gradient in SST but not SSH.As a decadal-scale change from a warm period around 1970 to a cool period in the mid-1980s, those fronts in the model migrate southward as observed, and the associated pronounced cooling is confined mainly to those frontal zones. Reflecting the distinctive vertical structures of the fronts, the mixed-layer cooling is the strongest along the subarctic front, whereas the subsurface cooling and the associated salinity changes are the most pronounced along the KE front. Concomitantly with their southward migration, the two fronts have undergone decadal-scale intensification. Associated with reduced heat release into the atmosphere, the cooling in the frontal zones can be attributed neither to the direct atmospheric thermal forcing nor to the advective effect of the intensified KE current, while the advective effect by the intense Oyashio can contribute to the cooling in the subarctic frontal zone.In fact, their time evolution is not found completely coherent, suggesting that their variability may be governed by different mechanisms. Decadal SSH variability in the KE frontal zone seems to be largely explained by propagation of baroclinic Rossby waves forced by anomalous Ekman pumping in the central North Pacific. This process alone cannot fully explain the corresponding variability in the subarctic frontal zone, where eastward propagating SSH anomalies off the Japanese coast seem to be superimposed on the Rossby wave signals.

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Atmospheric Response to Zonal Variations in Midlatitude SST: Transient and Stationary Eddies and Their Feedback*

Cited by 50 publications

References 34 publications

Wintertime extratropical cyclone frequency around Japan

Wintertime extratropical cyclone frequency around Japan

Decadal Variability of the Kuroshio Extension: Observations and an Eddy-Resolving Model Hindcast*

Decadal Variability in the Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension Simulated in an Eddy-Resolving OGCM

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