The Gulf Stream North Wall: Ageostrophic Circulation and Frontogenesis

Abstract

AbstractEastward zonal jets are common in the ocean and atmosphere, for example, the Gulf Stream and jet stream. They are characterized by atypically strong horizontal velocity, baroclinic vertical structure with an upward flow intensification, large change in the density stratification meridionally across the jet, large-scale meanders around a central latitude, narrow troughs and broad crests, and a sharp and vertically sloping northern (poleward) ?wall? defined by horizontal maxima in the lateral gradients of both velocity and density. Measurements and realistic oceanic simulations show these features in the Gulf Stream downstream from its western boundary separation point. A diagnostic theory based on the conservative balance equations is developed to calculate the 3D velocity field associated with the dynamic height field. When applied to an idealized representation of a meandering jet, it explains the spatial structure of the associated ageostrophic secondary circulation around the jet and the positive frontogenetic tendency along the northern wall in the meander sector located upstream from the trough. This provides a basis for understanding why submesoscale instabilities and cross-wall intrusion and streamer events are more prevalent along the sector downstream from the trough and at the crest where there is not such a frontogenetic tendency. An important attribute for this frontogenesis pattern is the 3D shape of the jet, whose idealization is summarized above.