New Estimate of Annual Poleward Energy Transport by Northern Hemisphere Oceans

Abstract

Recent measurements of the earth's radiation budget from satellites, together with extensive atmospheric energy transport summaries based on rawinsonde data, allow a new estimate of the required poleward energy transport by Northern Hemisphere oceans for the mean annual case. In the region of maximum net northward energy transport (30–35N), the oceans transport 47% of the required energy (1.7×1022 cal year−1). At 20N, the peak ocean transport accounts for 74% at that latitude; for the region 0–70N the ocean contribution averages 40%. Abstract Recent measurements of the earth's radiation budget from satellites, together with extensive atmospheric energy transport summaries based on rawinsonde data, allow a new estimate of the required poleward energy transport by Northern Hemisphere oceans for the mean annual case. In the region of maximum net northward energy transport (30–35N), the oceans transport 47% of the required energy (1.7×1022 cal year−1). At 20N, the peak ocean transport accounts for 74% at that latitude; for the region 0–70N the ocean contribution averages 40%.