Abstract
The sensitivity of the atmospheric circulation to an increase in ocean surface roughness in the Southern Hemisphere storm track is investigated in a paired general circulation model experiment. Such a change in sea roughness could be induced by ocean waves generated by storms. Two extended permanent-July runs are made. One with standard sea surface roughness, the other with ten times as a large surface roughness over open sea poleward of 40° S. The regional increase in ocean surface roughness significantly modifies the tropospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere. The strongest effect is the reduction of tropospheric winds (by 2 m/s or 10%) above the area with increased roughness. The poleward eddy momentum flux is reduced in the upper troposphere and the meridional eddy sensible heat flux is reduced in the lower troposphere. Zonal mean and eddy kinetic energy are consistently reduced.
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Ulbrich, U., Bürger, G., Schriever, D. et al. The effect of a regional increase in ocean surface roughness on the tropospheric circulation: a GCM experiment. Climate Dynamics 8, 277–285 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209667
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209667