Storm tracks in the Southern Hemisphere subtropical oceans

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Oceans Vol. 119; no. 9; pp. 6078 - 6100
• Main Authors: O'Kane, T. J., Matear, R. J., Chamberlain, M. A., Oliver, E. C. J., Holbrook, N. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2014
• Subjects: baroclinic waves; Coherence; decadal variability; Disturbances; Energy transfer; General circulation models; Geophysics; Latitude; nonlinear dynamics; Ocean currents; Oceans; Pacific Ocean; Potential energy; Propagation; Satellite altimetry; Shallow water; Southern Hemisphere; Storms; Trade winds; Tropical environments; IS, South Pacific; PS, Antarctic Ocean, Antarctic Circumpolar Current; ISW, Indian Ocean
• ISSN: 2169-9275; 2169-9291
• DOI: 10.1002/2014JC009990

Ocean storm tracks have previously been associated with the midlatitude western boundary currents (WBCs) and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). Here we identify and examine large‐scale baroclinically unstable waves occurring within waveguides associated with potential density gradients in the subtropical regions of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) oceans where the trade winds and westerlies meet and at depths associated with mode water formation. In contrast to the Northern Hemisphere subtropics, the SH pathways are more extensive allowing large‐scale coherent disturbances to communicate information westward from the midlatitudes to the subtropics (South Pacific Ocean) and from the subtropics to the tropics (Indian Ocean). Particular consideration is given to the subtropical South Pacific Ocean as this is a region where resonant interactions between large‐scale Rossby waves and significant topographic features have been reported to occur. Using an ocean general circulation model and a simple potential energy transfer diagnostic, we identify the relevant nonlinearly modified structures comparing their propagation characteristics to planetary Rossby waves calculated using a shallow water model. Although at first appearance baroclinic disturbances resemble planetary Rossby waves, we show they are inherently nonlinear, multiscale and are amplified where topography occurs. The location of the disturbances coincides with regions of high variability in sea surface height observed in satellite altimetry and their speeds closely match the large‐scale coherent westward propagating structures described in the observational literature. Our study provides evidence that, in addition to the midlatitude WBCs and the ACC, significant ocean storm tracks are also manifest in the SH subtropics.
Key Points
Characterization of global oceanic large‐scale baroclinic instabilities
Comparison of wave‐like baroclinic disturbances and planetary Rossby waves
Identification of decadal modes of variability in the subtropical oceans