The seasonal variability of the circulation in the South Indian Ocean: Model and observations

Abstract This article compares the seasonal variability patterns of the South Indian Ocean circulation derived from a global, eddy-permitting, numerical model and altimeter observations. The seasonal variability of the Indian Ocean circulation is driven by the inflow from the Indonesian Passages and by the local wind forcing. Our analysis indicates that the influence of the Indonesian throughflow is confined to the easternmost portion of the basin, while the influence of the wind stress forcing is important everywhere. Model and observations indicate that, between ~ 105°E and 75°E, the seasonal variability is characterized by the southwestward propagation of an annual wave over a period of ~ 4 months. Preliminary calculations using Pathfinder data also indicate that, in the western region, there are seasonal perturbations that originate in the tropics and propagate poleward through the Mozambique Channel. Our calculations, however, did not find the connections between the tropical and the Agulhas Current variability suggested by earlier modeling studies.