ESS220
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Polarward Energy Transport
Annual-Mean Radiative
Energy
Polarward Heat Flux
Polarward heat flux is needed to transport radiative energy
from the tropics to higher latitudes
The atmosphere dominates the polarward heat transport
at middle and high latitudes. The ocean dominates
the transport at lower latitudes.
(1 petaWatts = 1015 W)
(figures from Global Physical
Climatology)