FY 1986

A synthesis of the First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE) in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Molinari, R.L., S.L. Garzoli, E.J. Katz, D.E. Harrison, P.L. Richardson, and G. Reverdin

Prog. Oceanogr., 16(2), 91–112, doi: 10.1016/0079-6611(86)90008-X (1986)

A synthesis of near-surface oceanographic and surface meteorological data collected during the First GARP Global Experiment, FGGE, is presented to portray the oceanic response to the seasonal wind forcing for the period December 1978 to November 1979, inclusive. Major wind events during FGGE are in phase with events given in climatology. In particular, the February-March-April relaxation and May enhancement of equatorial winds occurs within one month of the mean event. Accordingly, the oceanic responses, such as the May, June, July appearance of an equatorial cold water tongue, the acceleration of the South Equatorial Current (SEC) and the vertical displacement of the equatorial thermocline occur at the average time. Furthermore, the curl distribution in the vicinity of the North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) during 1979 is similar to the climatological distribution in terms of phase and amplitude, except for a westward displacement in the position of the maximum curl. As predicted from linear theory, the 1979 thermocline response across the NECC is in phase with the climatological response with a westward displacement of the maximum thermocline movement. Deeper than average equatorial thermoclines and a weaker SEC may, in part, be responsible for the anomalously warm sea-surface temperatures observed on the equator between 10°W and 30°W from June to November.