Coupled Ocean - Atmosphere Interaction at Oceanic Mesoscales

Satellite observations have revealed a remarkably strong positive correlation between sea-surface temperature (SST) and surface winds on oceanic mesoscales of 10–1000 km. While this SST influence on the atmosphere had previously been identified from several in situ observational studies, its widespread existence in regions of strong SST gradients throughout the World Ocean and the detailed structure of the surface wind response to SST have only become evident over the past decade from simultaneous satellite measurements of SST and surface winds. This has stimulated considerable scientific interest in the implications of this air-sea interaction to the large-scale and mesoscale circulation of the atmosphere and ocean. Convergence and divergence of surface winds in regions of spatially varying SST generate vertical motion that can penetrate deep into the atmosphere. Spatial variability of the SST field also results in a curl of the wind stress and its associated upwelling and downwelling that feeds back on the ocean and alters the SST itself. Significant progress has been made toward