Turbulent kinetic energy in relation to jet streams, cyclone tracks, and ocean currents

Abstract

The relationships between the core of the maximum turbulent kinetic energy, the jet stream of the mean flow, the tracks of cyclones, and the ocean currents in the northern hemisphere are analyzed. It is found that for a single jet, the core of the maximum turbulent kinetic energy generally occurs to the north and below the jet stream core; however, it generally occurs above and between multijets. The core of the jet stream generally forms the southern boundary of the cyclone tracks, whereas the core of the maximum kinetic energy generally occurs above and crosses the cyclone tracks. It is also found that the core of the maximum turbulent kinetic energy generally overlies the warm ocean currents and that the jet core usually occurs at an average of 160 km south of the warm ocean currents.