Coupled air-sea interactions at the submesoscale: mechanisms, energetics, and open questions

Montag 23.11.2026, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Berlin

5-1.214 - PAZIFIK / PACIFIC- Rechte Seite - Großer, unterteilbarer Konferenzraum (GEOMAR - Standort Ostufer / GEOMAR - East Shore)

Speaker: Jacob Wenegrat, Associate Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland

Hybrid  -  online via 

https://geomar.webex.com/geomar-en/j.php?MTID=m0981e21ef34fd4cb781138fba2b65000

Abstract:

Our understanding of the physical mechanisms, and impact, of coupled air-sea interactions at the ocean submesoscale is rapidly evolving. In this talk I will begin with novel recent observations of the coupled ocean-atmosphere response across submesoscale SST fronts. These observations confirm that the atmospheric boundary layer responds rapidly to surface submesoscale variability, with changes in vertical structure of stability and shear that modulate surface fluxes of heat and momentum. Numerical modeling indicates that this can have important impacts on submesoscale energetics, including through a direct surface flux of available potential energy. This mechanism has received less attention than kinetic energy pathways, but is suggested to be of primary importance at fine scales. Finally, I will conclude with a brief discussion of open challenges, and opportunities, for advancing our understanding of submesoscale air-sea interaction and its links to larger-scale variability.