Wind-driven barotropic gyre II : effects of eddies and low interior viscosity

Abstract

Using boundary-enhanced viscosity to control the mean circulation, a simple model can be created and used for study of strong inertial effects in a western-intensified calculation. The simplicity allows for a greater number of strongly-inertial numerical experiments than computationally feasible in a general circulation model.

This paper is an introduction to the behavior of this model, covering its general features. Some of the inertial phenomena, including the primary balances of the boundary current and basin interior, the temporal behavior, and the changes in the mean state across parameter space are presented. The analysis of these phenomena focuses on the effects of eddies and the type of eddies present. The low interior viscosity allows for more pronounced eddy effects.

As this model is intended for use in future studies, many of the diagnostic tools found to be useful here are likely to be reused effectively.