Accession Number:

ADA017534

Title:

The Prediction of Sea-Surface Temperature Anomalies Using a 10-Level Primitive Equation Model.

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CALIF

Personal Author(s):

• Hunt,Kenneth Howard

Report Date:

1975-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

82.0

Abstract:

Preliminary experiments in the numerical prediction of large scale sea-surface temperature anomalies are made using a 10-level primitive equation model with 300-km horizontal resolution covering a rectangular basin in the North Pacific. The model is first integrated over an 11-year period to statistical equilibrium using time dependent wind and thermal forcing. The monthly normal climatology, generated by the model in this long term integration, is then used along with observed sea-surface temperature anomalies to define the initial state. The results show that inclusion of salinity in the model may produce more accurate predictions of high latitude cold anomalies. The most accurate of the predictions removed all of the anomalous diffusion terms in the governing equations. Data for the observed temperature anomalies were not available in depth, thus initialization of the anomalies below the surface was superficial. Consequently, the effects of vertical advection were not fully realized, indicating a need for future experimentation with a more accurately defined initial profile of the anomalies in the initial conditions. Author

Descriptors:

• *Ocean surface
• *Surface temperature
• Temperature gradients
• Anomalies
• North Pacific Ocean
• Mathematical prediction
• Climate
• Time dependence
• Wind velocity
• Salinity
• Wind direction
• Periodic variations
• Meteorological data
• Theses

Subject Categories:

• Physical and Dynamic Oceanography

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE