What is the role of land-atmosphere-ocean interaction in tropical Atlantic variability?
Modeling studies suggest that air-sea interaction in the tropical Atlantic may involve both thermodynamic and dynamic feedback. The former involves the interaction between wind-induced surface heat flux and SST off the equator, contributing primarily to the variation in cross-equatorial SST gradient, and the latter involves the interaction between the trade wind and SST along the equatorial wave guide (Zebiak, 1993). A recent modeling study suggests that the continental heat source over the Amazon basin may also be a crucial player in the variability of cross-equatorial SST gradient (Battisti, 1999, personal communication). While land-atmosphere-ocean interaction is likely to contribute significantly to tropical Atlantic variability, the underlying physical processes that dominate the interaction have not yet been determined. Detailed modeling experiments are required to further explore the regional land-atmosphere-ocean interaction. Why is climate variability so different between the
Related Questions
- What are those track and intensity models that the Atlantic forecasters are talking about in the tropical storm and hurricane Discussions?
- What are the most and least tropical cyclones occurring in the Atlantic basin and striking the USA?
- What is the role of air-sea interaction in tropical Atlantic predictability?
