Abstract. This process-oriented study of the California Current system (CCS) uses a high-resolution, multilevel, primitive equation ocean model on a/3 plane to isolate the response of that eastern boundary oceanic regime to temporal and spatially varying wind forcing. To study the generation, evolution, and maintenance of many of the observed features such as currents, meanders, and eddies in the CCS, the model is forced from rest with seasonal climatological winds. In response to the prevailing wind direction, surface equatorward currents develop, along with upwelling of cooler water along the coast and a poleward undercurrent. Baroclinic/barotropic instabilities in the equatorward surface current and poleward undercurrent result in the generation of meanders near the coast.As the meanders intensify, cold upwelling filaments develop along the coast and subsequently extend farther offshore. In time, the meanders form both cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies, which subsequently propagate farther offshore,, Longer. simulation
A high-resolution, multi-level, primitive equation ocean model is used to examine the response to wind forcing of an idealized flat-bottomed oceanic regime along an eastern ocean boundary. A band of steady alongshore, upwelling favorable winds, either with or without alongshore variability, is used as forcing on both anf-plane and a ,a-plane. In each experiment a wind-driven equatorward coastal jet and a poleward undercurrent are generated. In time the coastal jet and undercurrent become unstable and lead to the development of eddies and jets with relatively strong onshore and offshore directed flows. The alongshore variation in alongshore wind stress plays a role in determining the location of eddy generation regions. A comparison of model results with available observations shows that the time-averaged model coastal jet and undercurrent are consistent in scale and magnitude with the observed data. Although the instantaneous eddies and jets are weaker than the corresponding observed features, they have horizontal scales typical of the observed scales. The results of this study support the hypothesis that steady wind forcing is one of several possible important generation mechanisms for eddies in the California Current System.
Abstract. To investigate the northern Canary Current system (NCCS), results from four numerical experiments of increasing complexity are examined. Experiment 1, which uses seasonal wind forcing only, shows that as expected, wind forcing is the key generative mechanism for the current, upwelling, meander, eddy, and filament structures. Experiments 2 and 3, which have the additional effects of irregular coastline geometry, show the following: capes are areas for enhanced upwelling, extensive filaments, maximum current velocities, and enhanced growth of cyclonic meanders and eddies; an embayment like the Gulf of Cadiz is a primary region for anticyclonic meander and eddy development. The results from the complex flow regime of Experiment 4, which has the additional effects of thermohaline gradients and Mediterranean Outflow, highlights the major characteristics and unique features (such as the generation of Meddles) of the NCCS with relatively close similarities to field observations.
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