ESS228
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Steady
Forced Equatorial Motions
Vertically averaged equations for
steady motions
in the mixed layer:
•The dynamics of steady circulations in a equatorial mixed
layer can be approximated by a set of linear equations analogous to the equatorial wave equations ,
but with the time derivative terms replaced by linear damping terms.
•In the momentum
equations the surface eddy stress is taken to be proportional to
the mean velocity in the mixed layer.
•In the continuity
equation the perturbation in the mixed layer height is proportional to
the mass convergence in the layer, with a coefficient that is smaller in the
presence of convection than in its absence, due to ventilation of the
boundary layer by convection.
This model can be used to
compute
the steady surface circulation.