A Coupled Air and Sea Model for the Tropical Pacific

Abstract

Several sets of model equations are presented which represent coupled processes in the tropical atmosphere and ocean. The distribution of ocean surface temperature generates large-scale convective motions in the atmosphere. These winds in turn drive ocean currents which advect ocean temperatures. Under most parametric circumstances, the model solutions have the character of moderately damped oscillations of several year period. This period is characteristic of either ocean particle advection across the zonal extent of the basin or potential energy release associated with the ocean temperature distribution. Less stable model solutions can also occur?limit cycle oscillations, alternative mean climatic balances for fixed parameters?but these are not typical of the parameters selected for application to the tropical Pacific. Simulations of possible El Niño sequences are discussed; in general the responses seem weaker than observed.