Impacts of the QBO on the North Atlantic and Mediterranean storm tracks: An energetic perspective

Abstract

AbstractImpacts of the quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) on the energetics of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean storm tracks are discussed. The daily National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis data for the period 1953–2015 are used to evaluate the spatial distribution of eddy kinetic energy (EKE) and the main factors involved in generation, conversion, and propagation of the EKE in the westerly and easterly phases of the QBO. Results are presented for both early and late winter to uncover intraseasonal variations of the impact. It is shown that the QBO exerts a marked influence on the Mediterranean storm track in early winter, which is of the same order of its impact on the North Atlantic storm track. Further, the impact on the Mediterranean storm track is rather local in early winter but more influenced by variations in the North Atlantic storm track in late winter.