Turbulence scaling in moist climates of an idealized general circulation model

By means of a series of simulations using an idealized GCM we attempt to better understand the basic dynamical properties of extratropical large-scale turbulence. Our results extend previous work with a dry GCM by including the effects of moist processes.

The simulations span a wide range of solar insolation and pole-to-equator temperature gradients, with resultant changes in the strength of the hydrological cycle. We examine the scaling of the meridional eddy moisture flux and other turbulence quantities as a function of mean-flow characteristics such as the pole-to-equator temperature gradient. Issues concerning the extratropical static stability and the character of the baroclinic eddies in the presence of latent heat release are also addressed.