The impact of the submesoscale features in the transitional region of the California Current System off Baja California

Hector S. Torres, CICESE National Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Mexico, Ensenada, Mexico, Dimitris Menemenlis, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, United States and Jorge Vazquez, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, United States
Abstract:
The transitional region of the California Current System is characterized by the presence of subarctic and subtropical waters. The interactions between these water masses remains unclear. Recent studies have pointed out the unexpected role of submesoscale structures (with 1–50 km scales) in transferring information in multi-scales regime. Here we show, using two realistic simulations: a high-resolution (1/48°) simulation, and a coarser resolution (1/24°), the impact of the submesoscale Mixed-Layer Instabilities (MLI) on the Divergent Eddy Heat Fluxes (DEHF) in the transitional zone of the California Current System off Baja California. The MLI are established by large-scale forcing. This leads to a seasonal evolution of the DEHF. The deviation from the geostrophic and 2D dynamics of the small-scales instigates a higher down-gradient DHEF in the high-resolution simulation. Perspectives in terms of the impacts on climate dynamics are briefly discussed.
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