The relation between the statistics of open ocean currents and the temporal correlations of the wind

Details The relation between the statistics of open ocean currents and the temporal correlations of the wind The relation between the statistics of open ocean currents and the temporal correlations of the wind

2011-11-30

arxiv.org/abs/1111.7049v1

Physics

Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics

Scientific paper

We study the statistics of wind-driven open ocean currents. Using the Ekman layer model for the integrated currents, we investigate, analytically and numerically, the relation between the wind distribution and its temporal correlations and the statistics of the open ocean currents. We find that temporally long-range correlated wind results in currents whose statistics is proportional to the wind-stress statistics. On the other hand, short-range correlated wind leads to Gaussian distributions of the current components, regardless of the stationary distribution of the winds, and therefore, to a Rayleigh distribution of the current amplitude if the wind stress is isotropic. An interesting result is the existence of an optimum in the amplitude of the ocean currents as a function of the correlation time of the wind stress. The results were validated using an oceanic general circulation model.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The relation between the statistics of open ocean currents and the temporal correlations of the wind 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 The relation between the statistics of open ocean currents and the temporal correlations of the wind, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The relation between the statistics of open ocean currents and the temporal correlations of the wind will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-7224