Air-sea interaction effects in the lower troposphere across the north wall of the Gulf Stream.

Abstract

Significant atmospheric and oceanographic differences have often been observed in the regions lying on either side of the N wall of the Gulf Stream. Satellite visible-range sensors have revealed changes in reflectivity across the Gulf Stream believed to be due to changes in sea state that are related to these atmospheric and oceanic differences. In an attempt to document the interrelation of these phenomena, the lower atmosphere over the N wall of the Gulf Stream was studied on two separate occasions. The data collected show significant low level atmospheric and sea state changes on crossing the N wall boundary. These changes appeared to be caused by differences in atmospheric turbulences created by variations in the air-sea temperature differential on each side of the N wall boundary. -from Authors