On the Structure of Low-Frequency Equatorial Waves

Abstract

We examine the effects of realistically sheared mean currents on low-frequency, low baroclinic mode equatorial Kelvin and Rossby waves. Mean flows can induce significant small-scale zonal velocity fluctuations near the surface, can reduce pressure and velocity variations near the surface relative to those at depth, and can shift zero crossings by O(100 m). Thus the structure of dynamical modes is different than that given by the traditional model decomposition for waves in a resting ocean.