Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010georl..3724605f&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 37, Issue 24, CiteID L24605
Physics
3
Oceanography: General: Equatorial Oceanography, Oceanography: General: Climate And Interannual Variability (1616, 1635, 3305, 3309, 4513), Oceanography: Physical: Upper Ocean And Mixed Layer Processes
Scientific paper
Between May and August 2009 sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the eastern equatorial Atlantic dropped 5°C, from 1°C above normal to 1°C below normal. The magnitude of this cooling is unprecedented since satellite SST measurements began in 1982. In this study, observations and a linear equatorial wave model are used to examine the causes of the sharp decrease in SST. It is found that the anomalous cooling along the equator can be traced to an anomalous meridional gradient of SST and associated northwesterly anomalous winds that developed in the equatorial Atlantic the preceding spring. The anomalous winds forced upwelling equatorial Rossby waves that propagated westward during boreal spring and reflected at the western boundary into upwelling Kelvin waves during late spring and summer. The upwelling Kelvin waves propagated eastward along the equator, anomalously decreasing sea level and SST during May-August.
Foltz Gregory R.
McPhaden Michael J.
No associations
LandOfFree
Abrupt equatorial wave-induced cooling of the Atlantic cold tongue in 2009 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Abrupt equatorial wave-induced cooling of the Atlantic cold tongue in 2009, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Abrupt equatorial wave-induced cooling of the Atlantic cold tongue in 2009 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1292646