HR: 12:05h
AN: OS31D-08    [PDF]
TI: Decadal Variability of Shallow Cells and Equatorial SST in a Numerical Model of the Atlantic
AU: * Kroeger, J
EM: kroeger@essic.umd.edu
AF: ESSIC/University of Maryland, 224 CSS Bldg. Room 2233, College Park, MD 20742 United States
AU: Busalacchi, A
EM: tonyb@essic.umd.edu
AF: ESSIC/University of Maryland, 224 CSS Bldg. Room 2233, College Park, MD 20742 United States
AB: The relative role of extra-equatorial mechanisms modulating decadal SST anomalies in the equatorial Atlantic is investigated using an ocean general circulation model (OGCM) forced by observed wind stress and/or computed heat flux from the associated advective atmospheric mixed layer model. Longterm variability of the shallow meridional overturning circulation, the Subtropical Cells (STCs), which conduit subducted water to lower latitudes, can lead to potentially relevant SST anomalies in the eastern tropics by either (1) equatorward advection of temperature anomalies formed by the subduction process in the subtropics or (2) by changes in the strength of the STCs themselves, varying the amount of cold water that is transported into the tropics. A suite of sensitivity studies is applied to isolate each of the mechanisms at work and to estimate their particular impact on equatorial SST anomalies in the model.
DE: 4215 Climate and interannual variability (3309)
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting