ESRL/PSD Seminar Series


Note: Additional Friday Morning PSD Seminar

Variability of intraseasonal Kelvin waves in the equatorial Pacific Ocean

Toshi Shinoda, Naval Research Lab,Stennis Space Center

Abstract


Previous observational work has demonstrated that the phase speed of oceanic equatorial Kelvin waves forced by the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) appears to vary substantially. Processes that are responsible for systematic changes in the phase speed of these waves are examined using an ocean general circulation model. The model was integrated for 26 years with daily wind stress derived from the NCEP-NCAR reanalysis. The model is able to reproduce observed systematic changes of Kelvin wave phase speed reasonably well, providing a tool for the analysis of their dynamics. The relative importance of the upper ocean background state and atmospheric forcing for phase speed changes is determined based on a series of additional model experiments with various surface forcings.


PSD-South Conference Room (1D403)
Friday, 19 October 2007
11:00 am

SECURITY: If you are coming from outside the NOAA campus, please be advised that you will need an on-site sponsor. Please contact that person in advance of the seminar to be put on the list and allow 10 minutes extra on the day of the seminar. Please contact Joe Barsugli (303-497-6042) or Barbara Herrli (303-497-3876) at least a day before the seminar if you have any questions.