Atmospheric Local Energetics and Energy Interactions between Mean and Eddy Fields. Part II: An Example for the Last Glacial Maximum Climate

Abstract

Abstract The atmospheric local energy cycle in the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) climate simulated by an atmosphere–ocean GCM (AOGCM) is investigated using a new diagnostic scheme. In contrast to existing ones, this scheme can represent the local features of the Lorenz energy cycle correctly, and it provides the complete information about the three-dimensional structure of the energy interactions between mean and eddy fields. The diagnosis reveals a significant enhancement of the energy interactions through the barotropic processes in the Atlantic sector at the LGM. Energy interactions through the baroclinic processes are also enhanced in the Atlantic sector, although those in the Pacific sector are rather weakened. These LGM responses, however, are not evident in the global energy cycle except for an enhancement of the energy flow through the stationary eddies.