Homogeneous Quasi-Geostrophic Turbulence Driven by a Uniform Temperature Gradient

Abstract

Statistically steady states consistent with a horizontally uniform time-averaged temperature gradient in a two-layer quasi-geostrophic model on a beta-plane are found by numerically integrating the equations for deviations from this mean state in a doubly periodic domain. Based on the result that the flow statistics are not strongly dependent on the size of the domain, it is suggested that this homogeneous flow is physically realizable. The dependence of the eddy heat and potential vorticity fluxes and eddy energy level on various model parameters (the beta effect, surface drag, small-scale horizontal mixing) is described. Implications for eddy flux parameterization theories am discussed.