Variability of the near‐surface eddy kinetic energy in the California Current based on altimetric, drifter, and moored current data

Kelly, Kathryn A.; Beardsley, Robert C.; Limeburner, Richard; Brink, Kenneth H.; Paduan, Jeffrey D.; Chereskin, Teresa K.

doi:10.1029/97jc03760

Cited by 101 publications

(133 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Recent observations have shown that the offshore propagation of EKE is a robust feature of the annual cycle in this region, with the maximum occurring in summer and fall in association with the seasonal cycle of coastal upwelling. We have examined an important question raised by satellite altimeter data and surface drifter data which show the surface EKE decreasing, and the offshore propagation of EKE apparently stopping, beyond about 127øW [Kelly et al, 1998]. Here we attribute the decrease to a specific processrathe transformation of upper ocean baroclinic shear EKE to deeper barotropic EKE.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of the more recent efforts, made possible by the availability of long-term surface drifter data and satellite sea level data, have been directed at describing the seasonal cycle of the CC and eddy fields [Kelly et al, 1998 No serious explanation has been offered for the limited westward extent of the EKE at the surface, although Kelly et al [1998] As a direct result of the seasonal cycle of wind-forced coastal upwelling in the simulation, a region of maximum EKE appears at the surface near the continental slope in late spring of each year (Plate 3a). The largest EKE value at the surface is about 0.06 m 2 s -2, which is similar to that computed from the TOPEX data by Kelly et al [1998] shown in Plate 1.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Offshore propagation of eddy kinetic energy in the California Current

Haney¹,

Hale²,

Dietrich³

2001

J. Geophys. Res.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Offshore propagation of eddy kinetic energy in the California Current

Haney¹,

Hale²,

Dietrich³

2001

J. Geophys. Res.

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“…The westward intensification of EKE within ∼200 km of the shore, as well as significant year-to-year variability, complicate the interpretation of the coastal response as compared to the situation for EBUs (Fig. 12 in Marchesiello et al 2003;Kelly et al 1998).…”

Section: Eddy Kinetic Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE) in EBUs is consequently modulated by the seasonal cycle of upwelling winds (Kelly et al 1998). Once generated, surface-intensified EKE propagates offshore at roughly the speed of long-wavelength baroclinic Rossby waves (Kelly et al 1998;Marchesiello et al 2003). EKE is also redistributed vertically as part of the barotropization tendency of balanced turbulence, thereby energizing the subsurface ocean (Haney et al 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…EBUs coexist with turbulent activity associated with mesoscale, and to a lesser extent submesoscale, eddies, that are primarily generated by the baroclinic instability of coastal currents (Marchesiello et al 2003). Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE) in EBUs is consequently modulated by the seasonal cycle of upwelling winds (Kelly et al 1998). Once generated, surface-intensified EKE propagates offshore at roughly the speed of long-wavelength baroclinic Rossby waves (Kelly et al 1998;Marchesiello et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Western boundary upwelling dynamics off Oman

et al. 2017

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Despite its climatic and ecosystemic significance, the coastal upwelling that takes place off Oman is not well understood. A primitive-equation, regional model forced by climatological wind stress is used to investigate its dynamics and to compare it with the better-known Eastern Boundary Upwellings (EBUs). The solution compares favorably with existing observations, simulating well the seasonal cycles of thermal structure, surface circulation (mean and turbulent), and sea-surface temperature (SST). There is a 1.5-month lag between the maximum of the upwellingfavorable wind-stress-curl forcing and the oceanic response (minima in sea-surface height and SST), which we attribute to onshore-propagating Rossby waves. A southwestwardflowing undercurrent (opposite to the direction of the nearsurface flow) is also simulated with a core depth of 1000 m, much deeper than found in EBUs (150-200 m). An EKE budget reveals that, in contrast to EBUs, the upwelling jet is more prone to barotropic than baroclinic instability and the contribution of locally-generated instabilities to EKE is higher by an order of magnitude. Advection and redistribution of EKE by standing mesoscale features also play a significant role in EKE budget.

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Wind-driven variability in sea surface temperature front distribution in the California Current System

Castelao

Wang

2014

J. Geophys. Res. Oceans

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Simultaneous satellite-derived observations from 2002 to 2009 are used to quantify the relation between sea surface temperature (SST) fronts and ocean winds in the California Current System (CCS). An edge-detection algorithm is applied to SST observations to generate monthly maps of frontal probabilities. Empirical orthogonal decompositions reveal that the seasonal evolution of fronts in the CCS is strongly related to the seasonal evolution of coastal alongshore wind stress. The seasonal development of SST fronts is remarkably different to the north and to the south of Cape Mendocino, however. While fronts to the north of the cape extend for hundreds of kilometers from the coast peaking during summer and fall, when upwelling winds are stronger off northern California and Oregon, the region to the south of Cape Mendocino is characterized by high frontal activity during spring in a much narrower band close to the coast. Throughout the region, anomalies in the intensity of upwelling-favorable wind stress are followed by anomalies in frontal activity. The width and speed of the widening of the region of high frontal activity are also related to coastal alongshore wind stress. Interannual variability in the timing of the widening of the region of high frontal activity in the lee of Cape Blanco compared to the timing of the spring transition to upwelling-favorable winds may be related to the wind stress curl distribution in the lee of the cape. Stronger upwelling-favorable wind stress curl anomalies lead to early widening of the region of high frontal activity.

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Variability of the near‐surface eddy kinetic energy in the California Current based on altimetric, drifter, and moored current data

Abstract: Abstract.Low

Cited by 101 publications

References 26 publications

Offshore propagation of eddy kinetic energy in the California Current

Offshore propagation of eddy kinetic energy in the California Current

Western boundary upwelling dynamics off Oman

Wind-driven variability in sea surface temperature front distribution in the California Current System

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