Replicating the Hadley cell edge and subtropical jet latitude disconnect in idealized atmospheric models

Abstract ϕ STJ, is not coupled to that of the Hadley cell (HC) edge, ϕ HC, but the robustness of this disconnect has not been examined in detail. Here, we use meteorological reanalysis products, comprehensive climate models, and an idealized atmospheric model to determine the necessary processes for a disconnect between ϕ HC and ϕ STJ in the Northern Hemisphere's December–January–February season. We find that a decoupling can occur in a dry general circulation model, indicating that large-scale dynamical processes are sufficient to reproduce the metrics' relationship. It is therefore not reliant on explicit variability in the zonal structure, convection, or radiation. Rather, the disconnect requires a sufficiently realistic climatological basic state. Further, we confirm that the robust disconnect between ϕ STJ and ϕ HC across the model hierarchy reveals their differing sensitivities to midlatitude eddy momentum fluxes; ϕ HC is consistently coupled to the latitude of maximum eddy momentum flux, but ϕ STJ is not.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Replicating the Hadley cell edge and subtropical jet latitude disconnect in idealized atmospheric models ; volume:5 ; number:1 ; year:2024 ; pages:251-261 ; extent:11 ; Weather and climate dynamics ; 5, Heft 1 (2024), 251-261 (gesamt 11)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Menzel, Molly E. ; Waugh, Darryn W. ; Wu, Zheng ; Reichler, Thomas

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/wcd-5-251-2024
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2024022203180049426391
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:52 AM CEST