Prediction from the University of Southampton: NEAR-REAL TIME ESTIMATES OF THE AMOC USING ALTIMETRY

Frajka-Williams, E.


abstract: This AMOC estimate relies on satellite measurements of sea level anomaly (SLA). While it is not a true prediction or forecast, it does provide an alternate method to estimate ocean transports in near-real time, and in the interim before in situ data are recovered. The method may further be applicable at other latitudes, enabling investigation of circulation changes across the Atlantic. The method relies on an inverse relationship between sea level anomalies in the western half of the basin at 26N and the thermocline displacement. When sea level is higher than usual, the thermocline is deeper than usual, which results in a stronger southward transport in the upper mid-ocean layer (0-1100 m, between the Bahamas and Africa) and a weaker MOC.

@online{FrajkaWilliams-rapidblog-2016,
  author = {Frajka-Williams, E.},
  title = {Prediction from the University of Southampton: NEAR-REAL TIME ESTIMATES OF THE AMOC USING ALTIMETRY},
  year = {2016},
  urldate = {6 Jan 2016},
  url = {http://rapidchallenge2015.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/prediction-from-university-of.html}
}