Seasonal mode-1 M2 internal tides from satellite altimetry

Abstract The seasonal variability of mode-1 M 2 internal tides is investigated using 25 years multi-satellite altimeter data from 1992–2017. Four tide models are constructed seasonally-subsetted and World Ocean Atlas climatologies. This work made possible by a newly-developed mapping procedure that can significantly suppress model errors. Seasonal-mean seasonally-variable derived the four models. All inter-compared evaluated independent CryoSat-2 data. seasonal-mean overall best because averaging further reduces better in tropical zone, where large signals may overcome Each works its own season worst opposite season. These reveal subject to significant their variations function location. Large dominantly occur climatology shows strong ocean stratification. Seasonal phase obtained directionally-decomposed components. They ±60° at equator up ±120° central Arabian Sea. Incoherence caused usually <10%, but be 40–50% zone.