DYNAMICAL AND THERMODYNAMICAL SIGNATURES OF ROSSBY WAVES IN PRESENCE OF MEAN FLOW AND TOPOGRAPHY

Satellite altimeter data have revealed over the past dec-ade many new and unexpected properties of baroclinic Rossby wave propagation, such as anomalous too-fast phase speed at mid and high-latitudes, and the wide-spread occurrence of eddy-like features. Ensuing theo-retical work established the importance of the back-ground mean flow, topography, and possible surface intensification to account for too-fast Rossby waves. Topographic variations were also found to play a role in causing a splitting of energy between wave modes, which may sometimes account for apparent spontaneous wave emission, which can be quantified using so-called mode conversion theory. Rossby waves have a SST signature which is expected to depend on the eddy or wave nature of the westward propagating signals, as well as on their possible coupling with the mixed layer. Fur-ther work remains to be done to understand the physical processes controlling the westward penetration of boundary-driven waves, as well as to understand the generation mechanisms for signals not originating from the eastern boundaries. 1