A New Surface Model for β-Plane Turbulence

Abstract

Abstract This paper introduces a new numerical model for studying wave–turbulence interactions in a continuously stratified rotating flow, having a uniform potential vorticity and a rigid boundary. The meridional variation in the Coriolis parameter (β effect), a channel geometry, and the first-order nonlinear terms in a small Rossby number expansion are included into the surface quasigeostrophic dynamics. The model contains important dynamical characteristics of three-dimensional flows such as advection by ageostrophic winds, and stretching and tilting of relative vorticity. Nevertheless, it has the computational economy of two-dimensional flows. Long-term direct numerical simulations are performed for decaying turbulence arising from random initial conditions. In addition to the formation of steady zonal jets, frequently reported as a possible end state under the β effect, this model exhibits several other realistic physical effects that were lacking in the previously studied β-plane models for wave–turbulence interactions. There is a significant contrast in the spatial and time scales of the formed eddies, resulting in high meridional asymmetry of the flow. Mean surface cooling and persistent large-scale blocking eddies are observed as well. The surface potential temperature variance spectrum exhibits a well-resolved k−5/3 inertial range.