An Explanation for the Curvature of the Atlantic Jet past the Strait of Gibraltar
Abstract
A consistent explanation for the anticyclonic curvature of the Atlantic jet as it passes through the Strait of
Gibraltar and flows into the Mediterranean Sea (eastern side of the strait) is provided. The anticyclonic curvature
of the Atlantic jet, which is the key feature to understand the upper-layer circulation in the western Alboran
Sea, is simply related to the positive net evaporation over the Mediterranean. The result of this positive net
evaporation, that mainly occurs in areas of the Mediterranean far from the Strait of Gibraltar, is a net inflow
transport through the strait. It is proposed that the positive net evaporation is able to produce such a net inflow
in the strait because of an anomalous large-scale pressure gradient. This anomalous pressure gradient is found
to be approximately collinear to the strait orientation. The time-averaged inflow of Atlantic water at the eastern
side of the Strait of Gibraltar must therefore be supergeostrophic, and hence it must have anticyclonic curvature.
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