Role of non-linear oceanic processes in the response to Westerly Wind Events: new implications for the 1997 El Niño onset

Boulanger, J-P.; Durand, E.; Duvel, J-P.; Menkes, C.; Delecluse, P.; Imbard, M.; Lengaigne, M.; Madec, G.; Masson, S.. 2001 Role of non-linear oceanic processes in the response to Westerly Wind Events: new implications for the 1997 El Niño onset. Geophysical Research Letters, 28 (8). 1603-1606.

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Abstract/Summary

In March 1997, a strong westerly wind event (WWE) occurred in the western equatorial Pacific prior to the 1997-1998 El Niño event. It produced downwelling Kelvin waves that interacted non linearly with the surface temperature, salinity and zonal current fronts located at the eastern edge of the warm-fresh pool (EEWP). This non-linear interaction locally increased zonal currents by a factor of three compared to a theoretical linear response, and advected the EEWP at an unexpected rate (∼ 1m/s) to which the ocean-atmosphere coupled system may have been responding rapidly to trigger El Nino conditions.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
ISSN:	0094-8276
Date made live:	15 Jan 2009 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/164820

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