A multi-parametric perspective of the North Atlantic eddy-driven jet

The North Atlantic eddy-driven jet (EDJ) is an essential component of the Euro-Atlantic atmospheric circulation. It has been typically described in terms of latitude and intensity but this is not enough to fully characterize its variability and complex EDJ confgurations. Here, we present a set of da...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Climate Dynamics
Main Authors: Barriopedro Cepero, David, Ayarzagüena Porras, Blanca, García Burgos, Marina, García Herrera, Ricardo
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Springer 2022
Subjects:
Física atmosférica
North Atlantic
Online Access:https://eprints.ucm.es/id/eprint/77628/
https://eprints.ucm.es/id/eprint/77628/1/garciaherrera127libre%2BCC.pdf
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-022-06574-w
Description
Summary:The North Atlantic eddy-driven jet (EDJ) is an essential component of the Euro-Atlantic atmospheric circulation. It has been typically described in terms of latitude and intensity but this is not enough to fully characterize its variability and complex EDJ confgurations. Here, we present a set of daily parameters of the EDJ based on low-tropospheric zonal wind data for the 1948–2020 period. They describe the intensity, sharpness, location, edges, tilt and other zonal asymmetries of the EDJ, therefore dissecting its structure beyond the latitudinal regimes. This allows for assessments of specifc EDJ aspects and a multi-parametric treatment of EDJ confgurations in a manageable way. Overall, variations in EDJ parameters refect distinctive patterns of eddy forcing and wave breaking, with anticyclonic eddies playing a major role in shaping the EDJ structure. A multimodal behavior of the EDJ is only detected in latitude, which largely infuences the longitudinal position of the EDJ. Other aspects of the EDJ are less constrained by the latitude and display a variety of confgurations. Four multi-parametric states (northern, central, tilted and split EDJs) provide a satisfactory description of recurrent patterns of the EDJ. They participate in meridional migrations of the EDJ, but yield less dramatic transitions than viewed from the latitudinal perspective. Finally, the EDJ parameters help to better understand the EDJ infuence on European climate. In many regions, latitude and intensity contain limited information on near-surface anomalies, and their signals can be masked by the additional efect of other EDJ parameters.

Similar Items