Investigation of Interannual Variability and Budget of Heat in an Eddy-resolving Numerical Model of Tropical Instability Waves in the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

The characteristics and formation conditions of eddy meridional heat transport (MHT) in the eastern equatorial Pacific are studied using the results of eddy-resolving numerical modeling as compared with observational and reanalysis data. Calculations of the eddy MHT convergence at the equator are performed and realistic results in the analyzed region except for its easternmost part are obtained. The interannual variability and velocity of propagation of tropical instability waves are estimated. The errors of the time-averaged model solution are analyzed, and the assumptions on the mechanisms of their occurrence are made.