Planetary-scale motions in the atmosphere and ocean - Atmosphere, Weather and Climate

Geoscience Reference

In-Depth Information

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west-east 'seesaw' in temperature and other anomalies.

This has major effects on the climate of Europe and

eastern North America and west Greenland.

The ocean's vertical structure varies latitudinally and

regionally. In general, the thermocline is deepest in

mid-latitudes, thus permitting greater turbulent mixing

and atmospheric heat exchanges. The oceans are

important regulators of both atmospheric tempera-

tures and CO 2 concentrations. Ocean dynamics and

circulation features are analogous to those in the

atmosphere on both the meso- and macroscale. The

wind-driven Ekman layer extends to 100 to 200 m.

Ekman transport and coastal upwelling maintain

normally cold sea surfaces off western South America

and southwest Africa in particular.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

What features of the global wind belts at the surface

and in the upper troposphere are in accord with

(differ from) those implied by the three-cell model of

meridional circulation?

What are the consequences of the westerly jet

streams for transoceanic air travel?

Examine the variation of the vertical structure of

the zonal wind by creating height cross-sections

for different longitudes and months using the CDC

website (http://www.cdc.noaa.gov).

Consider the effects of ocean currents on the weather

and climate of coastal regions in the western and

eastern sides of the Atlantic/Pacific oceans and how

these effects vary with latitude.