A SIMPLE ATMOSPHERIC MODEL OF SURFACE HEAT-FLUX FOR USE IN OCEAN MODELING STUDIES

A simple model of the lower atmospheric layers and land/sea ice surfac e is described and analyzed. The model is able to depict with reasonab le accuracy the global ocean heat fluxes. Due to the model's simplicit y, insight into the mechanisms underlying particular heat flux respons es is possible. Such an analysis is carried out for the regional Gulf Stream heat flux response (which is qualitatively correct in the model ), and it is shown that atmospheric transient eddy heat transport is c rucial to the modeled response. The perturbation response of the model to tropical SST anomalies is also analyzed, and it is demonstrated th at the atmospheric transport processes incorporated in the model are r esponsible for a scale-dependent response. The magnitude of this respo nse is shown to be significantly different to that obtained with formu lations previously used by ocean modelers.