Vertical transport of mean zonal kinetic energy from five years of hemispheric data

Abstract

Vertical transports of the kinetic energy of the mean zonal flow across arbitrary horizontal surfaces which span the northern hemisphere are evaluated. The vertical processes involved are not directly measured but rather are obtained from observed horizontal motions through use of continuity requirements. It is found that vertical eddies can accomplish significant transports through horizontal boundary stress actions. A noteworthy feature is the downward eddy transport into the surface boundary layer.