Abstract
A comparative study between the output of the Flexible Global Climate Model Version 1.0 (FGCM-1.0) and the observations is performed. At 500 hPa, the geopotential height of FGCM is similar to the observations, but in the North Pacific the model gives lower values, and the differences are most significant over the northern boundary of the Pacific. In a net heat flux comparison, the spatial patterns of the two are similar in winter, but more heat loss appears to the east of Japan in FGCM than in COADS. On the interannual timescale, strong (weak) Kuroshio transports to the east of Taiwan lead the increasing (decreasing) net heat flux, which is centered over the Kuroshio Extension region, by 1–2 months, with low (high) pressure anomaly responses appearing at 500 hPa over the North Pacific (north of 25°N) in winter. The northward heat transport of the Kuroshio is one of the important heat sources to support the warming of the atmosphere by the ocean and the formation of the low pressure anomaly at 500 hPa over the North Pacific in winter.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Frankignoul, C., and E. Kestenare, 2002: The surface heat flux feedback. Part I: Estimates from observations in the Atlantic and the North Pacific. Climate Dyn., 19 633–647.
Jia Yinglai, and Liu Qinyu, 2004: Interannual variability feature of the Kuroshio to east of Taiwan. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 35(6), 507–512. (in Chinese)
Kalnay, E., and Coauthors, 1996: The NCEP/NCAR 40-year reanalysis project. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 77, 437–471.
Kiehl, J. F., and P. R. Gent, 2004: The Community Climate System Model, version 2. J. Climate, 17, 3666–3682.
Kushnir, Y., W. A. Robinson, I. Blade, N. M. J. Hall, S. Peng, and R. Sutton, 2002: Atmospheric GCM response to extratropical SST anomalies: Synthesis and evaluation. J. Climate, 15, 2233–2256.
Li Chongyi, and Long Zhengxia, 1992: Numerical simulation study about the effect of warming Kuroshio in winter on precipitation in east of China, Study on some problem of Climate Variation. Science Press, Beijing, 145–156. (in Chinese)
Li Zhiqiang, Wang Qianqian, and Yu Yongqiang, 2005: Numerical simulation of the Indonesian throughflow with a coupled GCM. Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 29, 697–708. (in Chinese)
Liu Hailong, Zhang Xuehong, Yu Yongqiang, and Li Wei, 2004a: Manual for LASG/IAP Climate System Ocean Model. Science Press, Beijing, 128pp. (in Chinese)
Liu Hailong, Zhang Xuehong, Li Wei, Yu Yongqiang, and Yu Rucong, 2004b: An eddy-permitting oceanic general circulation model and its preliminary evaluations. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 21, 675–690.
Liu Qinyu, Xu Qichun, Wang Zhilian, and Qin Zenghao, 1993: The meander of Kuroshio and oscillation in a coupled ocean-atmosphere model. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 7(3), 338–346.
Liu Yanyun, Liu Qinyu, and Pan Aijun, 2004c: Seasonal, interannual and decadal variations of air-sea heat fluxes in the Pacific Ocean. Periodical of Ocean University of China, 34(3), 341–350. (in Chinese)
Liu, Z., and L. Wu, 2004: Atmospheric response to North Pacific SST: The role of ocean-atmosphere coupling. J. Climate, 17, 1859–1882.
Liu, Z., Q. Zhang, and L. Wu, 2004d: The remote impact on tropical Atlantic climate variability: The dynamic assessment and statistical assessment. J. Climate, 17, 1529–1549.
Smith, R. D., and P. R. Gent, Eds., 2002: Reference manual for the Parallel Ocean Program (POP): Ocean component of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM-2). [Available online at http://www.ccsm.ucar.edu/models/ccsm2.0.1/pop]
Sutton, R., and P. P. Mathieu, 2002: Response of the atmosphere-ocean mixed layer system to anomalous ocean heat flux convergence. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 128, 1259–1275.
Wu, P., and M. J. Rodwell, 2004: Gulf Stream forcing of the winter North Atlantic oscillation. Atmospheric Science Letters, 5, 57–64.
Yulaeva, E., N. Schneider, D. Pierce, and T. Barnett, 2001: Modeling of North Pacific climate variability forced by oceanic heat flux anomalies. J. Climate, 14, 4027–4046.
Yu Yongqiang, and Liu Xiying, 2004: ENSO and Indian dipole mode in three coupled GCMS. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 23(4), 581–595.
Yu Yongqiang, Yu Rucong, Zhang Xuehong, and Liu Hailong, 2002: A flexible global coupled climate model. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 19, 169–190.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liu, Q., Wen, N. & Yu, Y. The role of the Kuroshio in the winter North Pacific ocean-atmosphere interaction: Comparison of a coupled model and observations. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 23, 181–189 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-006-0181-4
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-006-0181-4