Articles | Volume 5, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-5-1031-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-5-1031-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
15 Aug 2024
Research article |
| 15 Aug 2024
| 15 Aug 2024
Influence of mid-latitude sea surface temperature fronts on the atmospheric water cycle and storm track activity
Fumiaki Ogawa
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, Meguro, Japan
Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, Norway
Thomas Spengler
Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, Norway
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Short summary
The exchange of energy and moisture between the atmosphere and ocean is maximised along strong meridional contrasts in sea surface temperature, such as across the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio. We find that these strong meridional contrasts confine and determine the position of evaporation and precipitation, as well as storm occurrence and intensity. The general intensity of the water cycle and storm activity, however, is determined by the underlying absolute sea surface temperature.
The exchange of energy and moisture between the atmosphere and ocean is maximised along strong...
