Wind-forced modeling studies of currents, meanders, and eddies in the California Current system

Abstract

This process-oriented study of the California Current system( CCS) uses a high-resolution, multilevel, primitive equation ocean model on a/3 plane to isolate the response of that eastern boundary oceanic regime to temporal and spatially varying wind forcing. To study the generation, evolution, and maintenance of many of the observed features such as currents, meanders, and eddies in the CCS, the model is forced from rest with seasonal climatological winds. In response to the prevailing wind direction, surface equatorward currents develop, along with upwelling of cooler water along the coast and a poleward undercurrent. Baroclinic/barotropic in stabilities in the equatorward surface current and poleward undercurrent result in the generation of meanders near the coast. As the meanders intensify, cold upwelling filaments develop along the coast and subsequently extend farther offshore. In time, the meanders form both cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies, which subsequently propagate farther offshore.