Abstract
Abstract Previous diagnostic studies of surface wind momentum balances over tropical oceans showed that, under a linear friction assumption, the meridional friction coefficient is two to three times larger than the zonal friction coefficient, and that both friction coefficients exhibit a pronounced meridional dependence. The authors’ diagnosis of a global marine surface dataset confirms these results. Furthermore, it is shown that to first approximation the friction coefficients are independent of longitude and season in the tropical band between ∼20°S and ∼20°N. Poleward of 20°N and 20°S, the coefficients are no longer solely a function of latitude. To explain these empirical results, a simple analytical model of the friction coefficient is formulated based on the simplest K-theory mixed-layer parameterization, assuming constant viscosity. The model does a good job of reproducing the observed zonal friction coefficient, but does poorly for meridional friction. The poor result is thought to be from model ...
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