Impacts of Oceanic Fronts and Eddies in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension Region on the Atmospheric General Circulation and Storm Track

This paper reviews the progress in our understanding of the atmospheric response to midlatitude oceanic fronts and eddies, emphasizing the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension (KOE) region. Oceanic perturbations of interest consist of sharp oceanic fronts, temperature anomalies associated with mesoscale eddies, and to some extent even higher-frequency sub-mesoscale variability. The focus is on the free atmosphere above the boundary layer. As the midlatitude atmosphere is dominated by vigorous transient eddy activity in the storm track, the response of both the time-mean flow and the storm track is assessed. The storm track response arguably overwhelms the mean-flow response and makes the latter hard to detect from observations. Oceanic frontal impacts on the mesoscale structures of individual synoptic storms are discussed, followed by the role of oceanic fronts in maintaining the storm track as a whole. KOE fronts exhibit significant decadal variability and can therefore presumably modulate the storm track. Relevant studies are summarized and intercompared. Current understanding has advanced greatly but is still subject to large uncertainties arising from inadequate data resolution and other factors. Recent modeling studies highlighted the importance of mesoscale eddies and probably even sub-mesoscale processes in maintaining the storm track but confirmation and validation are still needed. Moreover, the atmospheric response can potentially provide a feedback mechanism for the North Pacific climate. By reviewing the above aspects, we envision that future research shall focus more upon the interaction between smaller-scale oceanic processes (fronts, eddies, submesoscale features) and atmospheric processes (fronts, extratropical cyclones etc.), in an integrated way, within the context of different climate background states.

Automated summary

This paper reviews the progress in understanding the atmospheric response to midlatitude oceanic fronts and eddies, with a focus on the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension (KOE) region. Oceanic fronts play a significant role in maintaining the storm track, but current research is still subject to uncertainties arising from inadequate data resolution.