Air-Ocean Heat Exchange and Its Relation to Seasonal Atmospheric Circulation Regimes

Numerically derived Northern Hemisphere air-ocean heat exchange monthly means and anomalies for 5 years are examined. The anomalies are studied with respect to monthly 500-mb. departures from normal, 1000-mb. mean charts, mean zonal wind, eddy flux of momentum, and mean sea-surface temperatures. Eddy flux and mean zonal winds were computed with geostrophic winds derived from numerically analyzed constant pressure charts. The intensity of the general circulation appears to be related to anomalous heat loss from the ocean in low latitudes and an increase in the northward atmospheric angular momentum flux. The latitudinal distribution of the anomalies shows remarkable seasonal persistence and the use of the anomalies in long-range forecasting is discussed. The mean zonal circulation resembles that found by Mintz although some differences exist, most noticeably the appearance of low-level, equatorial westerlies in summer. (Author)