On the mean atmospheric circulation over Antarctica

Abstract

The south-easterly surface flow down the slopes of Antarctica induces a transfer of westerly angular momentum to the atmosphere, which must be removed from the Antarctic domain by atmospheric transports. It is suggested that synoptic eddies protruding from the northern baroclinic zone into the polar regions are modified by the topography such that they are able to perform these meridional transports. A simple linear two-layer model of the axisymmetric circulation of Antarctica is presented where the eddy effects are incorporated via a K-ansatz. It is shown that qualitatively realistic mean flow patterns can be obtained with this model. The limitations of this approach are exposed.