Near-Surface Wind Convergence over the Gulf Stream-The Role of SST Revisited

High-resolution observations have demonstrated the presence of strong time-mean near-surface wind convergence (NSWC) anchored across oceanic frontal zones, such as the western boundary currents. Initial analyses appeared to show a close association between this time-mean NSWC and time-mean properties of the underlying sea surface temperature (SST), such as the gradients and second derivatives (e.g., Laplacian of SST), acting through pressure-adjustment and vertical-mixing mechanisms. However, a series of recent papers have revealed the instantaneous NSWC to be dominated by atmospheric fronts and have suggested the importance of air-sea processes occurring instead on shorter, synoptic time scales. In this paper, using the ERA5 reanalysis dataset in the Gulf Stream region, we aim to reconcile these viewpoints by investigating the spatial and temporal dependence of NSWC and its relationship to SST. It is revealed that while atmospheric frontal processes govern the day-to-day variability of NSWC, the relatively weak but persistent pres-sure-adjustment and vertical-mixing mechanisms provide lower-frequency modulations in conditions both with and without atmospheric fronts. In addition to their temporal characteristics, each mechanism is shown through spectral analysis to dominate on specific spatial scales. In light of recent work that has tied remote atmospheric responses to NSWC anomalies in western boundary current regions, these results emphasize the importance of oceanic frontal zones for atmospheric variability on all spatiotemporal scales.

Automated summary

Recent studies have found that strong time-mean near-surface wind convergence (NSWC) exists in oceanic frontal zones, such as western boundary currents. The relationship between this time-mean NSWC and underlying sea surface temperature (SST) has been closely examined, with the impact of pressure-adjustment and vertical-mixing mechanisms taken into account. However, current research suggests that instantaneous NSWC is primarily influenced by atmospheric fronts operating on shorter time scales, challenging previous views. This paper uses ERA5 reanalysis data in the Gulf Stream region to investigate the spatial and temporal dependence of NSWC and its connection to SST in order to reconcile these differing perspectives.