Surface Divergent Eddy Heat Fluxes and Their Impacts on Mixed Layer Eddy?Mean Flow Interactions

In this study, the global surface divergent eddy heat flux (EHF) is estimated using remote sensing observations of sea height (SSH) and temperature (SST) over two decades (1993–2017). These results are used as a metric to assess model fidelity in mesoscale eddy-resolving version Community Earth System Model. The EHFs show that midlatitudes significantly contribute poleward transport because strong regional variability SSH SST. A Helmholtz decomposition performed on remove prominent nondynamic rotational wave-like structures appear these fluxes. dynamic responsible for driving cross-frontal exchange positive Baroclinic Conversion (BC) rates, suggesting conversion mean potential energy within mixed layer. captures same spatial patterns BC but with relatively higher values than observations. layer geostrophic meridional reaches maximums 0.07 PW 0.1 climate model, respectively. integrated rate 0.11 TW observations, which ?30% weaker (0.16 TW). cross-spectral analysis further shows has low-frequency bands periods greater 10 months northern hemisphere western boundary currents, can capture major spectral peaks seen