On the dynamic forcing of short-term climate fluctuations by feedback mechanisms

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5639705· OSTI ID:5639705

Reiter, E R

The energies involved in the general circulation of the atmosphere, especially the zonal available potential energy, show considerable interannual variability, suggesting the presence of various internal feedback mechanisms in the ocean-atmosphere system. Sea-surface temperature (SST) variations appear to have some effect on the hydrological cycle. The possible existence of feedback mechanisms between ocean and atmosphere seem to be evident in some of the data from the North Pacific and North Atlantic. One of these proposed mechanisms involves the variation in the convergence between the North and South Pacific trade-wind systems and is strongly reflected in rainfall variability within the dry region of the equatorial Pacific. Similar variations appear in low-latitude SST anomalies. The convergence between the two trade-wind systems in the Atlantic region also undergoes marked interannual variations. This quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in trade-wind convergence over the Atlantic appears to be tied to the global QBO of equatorial stratospheric winds and to regional rainfall regimes in the dry region of northeastern Brazil. A variability pattern of SST's with a QBO has been detected off the coast of Senegal, in the Gulf of Guinea and even in the Gulf Stream as it leaves the North American continental shelf. Possible physical connections between some of these QBO's are pointed out by a hypothetical feedback model. It is also suggested that interaction of a QBO with the annual cycle may lead to beating frequencies resembling climatic trends of a duration of several years.

• Research Organization: Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA). Dept. of Atmospheric Science
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-S-02-1340
• OSTI ID: 5639705
• Report Number(s): COO-1340-66
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CLIMATES
VARIATIONS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
DATA COMPILATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ENERGY TRANSFER
FEEDBACK
FOURIER ANALYSIS
GRAPHS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDROLOGY
PACIFIC OCEAN
RAIN
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
SURGES
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
WATER CURRENTS
WIND
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CURRENTS
DATA
DATA FORMS
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
500100* - Environment
Atmospheric- Basic Studies- (-1989)