January and July global distributions of atmospheric heating for 1986, 1987, and 1988

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Climate; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1994)007<1270:JAJGDO>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:6918609

Schaack, T K; Johnson, D R ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

Three-dimensional global distributions of atmospheric heating are estimated for January and July of the 3-year period 1986-88 from the ECMWF/TOGA assimilated datasets. Emphasis is placed on the interseasonal and interannual variability of heating both locally and regionally. Large fluctuations in the magnitude of heating and the disposition of maxima/minima in the Tropics occur over the 3-year period. This variability which is largely in accord with anomalous precipitation expected during the ENSO cycle, appears realistic. In both January and July, interannual differences of 1.0-1.5 K day[sup [minus]1] in the vertically averaged heating occur over the tropical Pacific. These interannual regional differences are substantial in comparison with maximum monthly averaged heating rates of 2.0-2.5 K day[sup [minus]1]. In the extratropics, the most prominent interannual variability occurs along the wintertime North Atlantic cyclone track. Vertical profiles of heating from selected regions also reveal large interannual variability. Clearly evident is the modulation of the heating within tropical regions of deep moist connection associated with the evolution of the ENSO cycle. The heating integrated over continental and oceanic basins emphasizes the impact of land and ocean surfaces on atmospheric energy balance and depicts marked interseasonal and interannual large-scale variability. 54 refs., 13 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 6918609
• Journal Information: Journal of Climate; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Climate; (United States) Vol. 7:8; ISSN JLCLEL; ISSN 0894-8755
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ENERGY BALANCE
GLOBAL ASPECTS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
VARIATIONS