Topographic Wave Modification and the Angular Momentum Balance of the Antarctic Troposphere. Part II: Baroclinic Flows

Abstract

It has been demonstrated in Part I of this paper that synoptic-scale waves propagating around Antarctica are modified by the Antarctic topography such that they transport westerly angular momentum out of Antarctica. These transports are necessary to maintain a vigorous slope wind regime, which generates westerly angular momentum through surface friction. The results of Part I are based on a quasi-barotropic wave-mean flow interaction model where the mean flow equations are averaged over the Antarctic domain. Frequency and wave-length of the waves are prescribed according to observations. Here, the authors relax many of the constraints imposed in Part I. The model atmosphere is now fully three-dimensional and extends from the South Pole to 30°S. A wave perturbation is inserted in the baroclinic zone to the north of Antarctica. Initially the wave grows due to baroclinic instability, while cooling at the slopes induces downslope winds. After an initial phase of intensification the slope wind regime begins to decay, while the maturing depression moves toward Antarctica. However, the circulation of this occluding low is altered by the Antarctic topography such that substantial northward transport of angular momentum is induced over Antarctica. The slope winds intensify as soon as these transient fluxes affect the upper-tropospheric polar vortex. This demonstrates that topographic wave modification can be quite effective in supporting the Antarctic downslope wind regime in a fully three-dimensional baroclinic atmosphere.