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Sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) of ocean eddies induces an anomalous air‐sea turbulent heat flux that acts to dampen SSTA. A two‐dimensional SSTA model explores the effect of air‐sea turbulent heat flux, parameterized as SSTA damping, in shaping eddy SSTA patterns. Increased SSTA damping transitions the SSTA pattern from a monopole to dipole, indicating the balance between eddy stirring of the background SST gradient and SSTA damping. The SSTA dipole pattern increases the correlation of eddy velocity and SSTA, but SSTA damping weakens the SSTA, resulting in an optimal damping rate maximizing lateral eddy surface heat transport. Globally, the SSTA damping rate increases toward the equator. In mid‐latitude and high‐latitude regions (e.g., the Kuroshio, the Gulf Stream, and the Southern Ocean), eddy SSTAs are monopoles, while the tropics and subtropics exhibit dipole SSTA patterns due to higher damping rates, facilitating greater lateral eddy heat transport when the SSTA is large. Plain Language Summary: Mesoscale ocean eddies, ranging from tens to hundreds of kilometers, exhibit distinct sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) patterns. In regions like the Kuroshio, the Gulf Stream, and the Southern Ocean, eddy SSTA exhibits a monopole pattern, with a single warm or cold core within the eddy. At lower latitudes, a dipole‐like pattern emerges, characterized by a pair of opposite‐sign SSTA surrounding the eddy. Previous studies attribute these SSTA patterns to the lateral stirring of background SST gradients by eddies. We develop a simplified SSTA model to highlight the role of eddy‐induced air‐sea turbulent heat flux in shaping eddy SSTA patterns. Eddy stirring of the background SST gradient generates SSTA, which induces anomalous sensible and latent heat flux that dampens SSTA. In the tropics and subtropics, effective SSTA damping balances the positive and negative SSTA generated by eddy stirring, resulting in a dipole‐like pattern. Conversely, at high latitudes, where SSTA damping is weaker, SSTA maintains its signature, yielding a monopole pattern. The transition from a monopole to a dipole pattern is facilitated by air‐sea heat flux, enhancing the correlation of eddy SSTA and velocity, while reducing SSTA variance, leading to an optimal damping rate that maximizes eddy heat transport. Key Points: Ocean eddies generate a dipole sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) pattern when air‐sea turbulent heat flux dampens SSTA counteracting eddy stirring of the background SSTThe dipole pattern enhances lateral eddy heat transport due to increased correlation between the eddies' horizontal velocity and SSTAThe SSTA damping rate due to air‐sea heat flux decreases toward the poles, maximizing lateral eddy heat transport in the subtropics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gulf Stream's (GS) impact on the marine boundary layer (MBL) is well established, yet the mechanisms and timescales through which it affects the upper‐troposphere and contributes to precipitation are debatable. Using a high‐resolution regional atmospheric model, we shed light on the impact of ocean intrinsic variability (OIV) along GS on midlatitude‐atmosphere. Taking advantage of a 24‐member ensemble of ocean model integrations, we devised a novel experimental setup where the same weather system feels different realizations of GS sea surface temperature (SST). We introduce the "Eddy Recharge‐Frontal Lift" (ERFL) mechanism, highlighting the joint importance of synoptic variability and boundary layer processes. ERFL mechanism proposes that OIV recharges/discharges MBL with moisture and heat, while convergence associated with passing atmospheric‐fronts uplifts these MBL‐trapped anomalies to upper‐troposphere and imprints on precipitation in surprisingly short periods (a month). The impact of OIV on precipitation depends on the background mean SST. Key Points: A novel modeling approach is used in the Gulf Stream region to isolate the influence of ocean intrinsic variability (OIV) on the atmosphereThe tropospheric response to OIV occurs through a collaboration between marine boundary layer (MBL) processes and atmospheric frontsOIV modulates moisture and heat in the MBL, whilst atmospheric fronts uplift these MBL‐trapped anomalies into the upper troposphere [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient sound was continuously recorded for 52 days by three synchronized, single-hydrophone, near-bottom receivers. The receivers were moored at depths of 2573, 2994, and 4443 m on flanks and in a trough between the edifices of the Atlantis II seamounts. The data reveal the power spectra and intermittency of the ambient sound intensity in a 13-octave frequency band from 0.5 to 4000 Hz. Statistical distribution of sound intensity exhibits much heavier tails than in the expected exponential intensity distribution throughout the frequency band of observations. It is established with high statistical significance that the data are incompatible with the common assumption of normally distributed ambient noise in deep water. Spatial variability of the observed ambient sound appears to be controlled by the seafloor properties, bathymetric shadowing, and nonuniform distribution of the noise sources on the sea surface. Temporal variability of ambient sound is dominated by changes in the wind speed and the position of the Gulf Stream relative to the experiment site. Ambient sound intensity increases by 4–10 dB when the Gulf Stream axis is within 25 km from the receivers. The sound intensification is attributed to the effect of the Gulf Stream current on surface wave breaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations and model studies suggest that front dynamics can enhance phytoplankton productivity. This study tested whether frontal systems also increase the abundance of nitrifying microbes and nitrogen recycling during repeat sampling transects across the Mid‐Atlantic Bight shelfbreak in July 2019. We measured ammonium concentrations, nitrate dual isotopes (δ15N, δ18O), and ammonia monooxygenase subunit A (amoA) genes of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB). In subsurface shelf waters, ammonium concentrations exceeded 2 μmol L−1, due to a temporary imbalance in regeneration from sinking particles and subsequent nitrification. The inverse correlation between nitrate δ15N values and ammonium concentrations confirmed nitrate was partially or entirely from local nitrification on the shelf. In contrast, the shelfbreak frontal zone and slope sea subsurface waters had much lower ammonium concentrations (0.1–0.2 μmol L−1) due to tight coupling between ammonium regeneration and nitrification. The deviation of nitrate δ15N and δ18O from algal uptake‐driven 1 : 1 ratio suggests concurrent nitrification in the euphotic zone. The shelfbreak front acted as an ecological boundary where AOA and AOB amoA gene numbers were partitioned, with AOAs abounding in slope waters and AOBs in shelf waters, likely due to ammonium availability. At certain slope stations, deep‐water nutrient inputs via isopycnal lifting induced by Gulf Stream intrusions caused unexpectedly high phytoplankton biomass, which doubled nitrifier abundance and potentially stimulated both ammonium regeneration and nitrification. These findings demonstrate distinct distributions of nitrifying microbes along the salinity gradient from shelf to slope and highlight the significant influence of coastal ocean‐western boundary current interactions on nitrogen biogeochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downstream of Cape Hatteras, the vigorously meandering Gulf Stream forms anticyclonic warm core rings (WCRs) that carry warm Gulf Stream and Sargasso Sea waters into the cooler, fresher Slope Sea, and forms cyclonic cold core rings (CCRs) that carry Slope Sea waters into the Sargasso Sea. The Northwest Atlantic shelf and open ocean off the U.S. East Coast have experienced dramatic changes in ocean circulation and water properties in recent years, with significant consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Some of these changes may be related to a reported regime shift in the number of WCRs formed annually, with a doubling of WCRs shed after 2000. Since the regime shift was detected using a regional eddy‐tracking product, primarily based on sea surface temperatures and relies on analyst skill, we examine three global eddy‐tracking products as an automated and potentially more objective way to detect changes in Gulf Stream rings. Currently, global products rely on altimeter‐measured sea surface height (SSH), with WCRs registering as sea surface highs and CCRs as lows. To identify eddies, these products use either SSH contours or a Lagrangian approach, with particles seeded in satellite‐based surface geostrophic velocity fields. This study confirms the three global products are not well suited for statistical analysis of Gulf Stream rings and suggests that automated WCR identification and tracking comes at the price of accurate identification and tracking. Furthermore, a shift to a higher energy state is detected in the Northwest Atlantic, which coincides with the regime shift in WCRs. Plain Language Summary: In the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, a specific type of eddy, known as a ring, is formed by the Gulf Stream, a strong ocean current that closely follows the U.S. East Coast between Florida and Cape Hatteras. Northeast of Cape Hatteras, the Gulf Stream separates from the continental shelf and starts to meander. Sometimes, these meanders grow into oxbow‐like structures that pinch off from the Gulf Stream and become rings. Warm core rings (WCRs) are formed north of the Gulf Stream, with warm centers that create sea surface hills. In contrast, cold core rings (CCRs) form south of the stream, with cold centers and sea surface valleys. Since 1980 an analyst, who studies the Gulf Stream, has used primarily sea surface temperature to identify WCRs. A regional Ring Census based on this work found a doubling in WCR formations after 2000. Other eddy data sets are based on satellite data, such as sea surface height (SSH), and are created by automated tracking algorithms. This study compares global eddy data sets with the Ring Census. Our findings suggest global data sets using SSH alone cannot replicate the results of the Ring Census. Additionally, we find the Northwest Atlantic region has become more energetic since 2000. Key Points: Global altimetry‐based products evaluated to study Gulf Stream rings differ from regional data products based on sea surface temperatureGlobal products do not detect an observed regime shift in the number of Warm Core Ring formations and do not reflect the known seasonalityA shift to a higher energy state in the Northwest Atlantic around 2000 is detected via satellite altimetry‐based geostrophic velocities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While data-driven approaches demonstrate great potential in atmospheric modeling and weather forecasting, ocean modeling poses distinct challenges due to complex bathymetry, land, vertical structure, and flow non-linearity. This study introduces OceanNet, a principled neural operator-based digital twin for regional sea-suface height emulation. OceanNet uses a Fourier neural operator and predictor-evaluate-corrector integration scheme to mitigate autoregressive error growth and enhance stability over extended time scales. A spectral regularizer counteracts spectral bias at smaller scales. OceanNet is applied to the northwest Atlantic Ocean western boundary current (the Gulf Stream), focusing on the task of seasonal prediction for Loop Current eddies and the Gulf Stream meander. Trained using historical sea surface height (SSH) data, OceanNet demonstrates competitive forecast skill compared to a state-of-the-art dynamical ocean model forecast, reducing computation by 500,000 times. These accomplishments demonstrate initial steps for physics-inspired deep neural operators as cost-effective alternatives to high-resolution numerical ocean models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent genomic analyses have highlighted the prevalence of speciation with gene flow in many taxa and have underscored the importance of accounting for these reticulate evolutionary processes when constructing species trees and generating parameter estimates. This is especially important for deepening our understanding of speciation in the sea where fast-moving ocean currents, expanses of deep water, and periodic episodes of sea level rise and fall act as soft and temporary allopatric barriers that facilitate both divergence and secondary contact. Under these conditions, gene flow is not expected to cease completely while contemporary distributions are expected to differ from historical ones. Here, we conduct range-wide sampling for Pederson's cleaner shrimp (Ancylomenes pedersoni), a species complex from the Greater Caribbean that contains three clearly delimited mitochondrial lineages with both allopatric and sympatric distributions. Using mtDNA barcodes and a genomic ddRADseq approach, we combine classic phylogenetic analyses with extensive topology testing and demographic modeling (10 site frequency replicates × 45 evolutionary models × 50 model simulations/replicate = 22,500 simulations) to test species boundaries and reconstruct the evolutionary history of what was expected to be a simple case study. Instead, our results indicate a history of allopatric divergence, secondary contact, introgression, and endemic hybrid speciation that we hypothesize was driven by the final closure of the Isthmus of Panama and the strengthening of the Gulf Stream Current ~3.5 Ma. The history of this species complex recovered by model-based methods that allow reticulation differs from that recovered by standard phylogenetic analyses and is unexpected given contemporary distributions. The geologically and biologically meaningful insights gained by our model selection analyses illuminate what is likely a novel pathway of species formation not previously documented that resulted from one of the most biogeographically significant events in Earth's history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most significant features of the Northwest Atlantic, the Gulf Stream influences high magnitude environmental fluctuations in deep habitats across the South Atlantic Bight. Amid this variability, the Blake Plateau harbors extensive reefs formed by cold‐water corals that were previously assumed to rely on narrow ranges of temperature, currents, and particulate supply. A benthic lander collected near‐bed conditions at the Richardson Reef Complex, a cold‐water reef dominated by the scleractinian Desmophyllum pertusum at 830 m within the path of the Gulf Stream. Specific behavior of the Gulf Stream resulted in recurring environmental patterns at depth. During offshore meanders, deep stream components intruded onto the reef and caused rapid (3.74°C per hour) temperature increases up to 10.8°C (> 5°C above the site mean) and increased chlorophyll. Within 2 d of peak temperatures, intrusions were replaced by strong, turbid upwelling currents that rapidly cooled the site to temperature minima (4.13°C). While considerable environmental variability from the Gulf Stream may otherwise implicate a thermally stressful setting for corals, high‐temperature events were likely mitigated by their short duration (< 37.4 h) and physical coupling with enhanced organic material. This hypothesis was supported by high‐density clustering of D. pertusum occurrences within 50 km around the Gulf Stream's position along the South Atlantic Bight. This suggests that cold‐water corals experiencing environmental variability can be sustained by relationships between food supply, temperature, and currents that vary in strength along stochastic time scales, shedding further light on the niche of cold‐water corals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shelf water is influenced by atmospheric forcing, river outflows, and the open ocean. Studying its variability is crucial for understanding anthropogenic impacts on coastal oceans and their transport to the open ocean. In the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB), the interaction of the Gulf Stream with shelf/slope circulation leads to some of the complex exchanges between the shelf and open ocean along the U.S. East Coast. This study employs a Lagrangian particle tracking approach, grounded in a high‐resolution, data‐assimilative ocean reanalysis, to examine the export pathways of surface shelf water in the MAB. We analyzed over 700 daily images of simulated particle distributions using image clustering techniques. This revealed three distinct export patterns: abrupt entrainment to the Gulf Stream, gradual entrainment, and southern transport. Each pattern was observed roughly equally during the study period from January 2017 to December 2018. The observed export patterns are closely linked to the coastal circulation dynamics near Cape Hatteras. Understanding the timing and duration of these patterns is vital for assessing water quality and predicting the settlement of species that spawn in the region. Our study further underscores the influence of tropical cyclones, including Hurricanes Jose, Maria, and Chris, on these export patterns. These extreme weather events lead to significant shifts in coastal circulation near Cape Hatteras. Plain Language Summary: This study focuses on the movement of ocean water in the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB), a region along the U.S. east coast. The movement of this coastal water, or "shelf water," is affected by the weather, rivers, and the ocean. A Lagrangian particle tracking method was used to track the movement of water by simulating how particles move in the coastal ocean. Over 700 daily images of particle tracking simulations were obtained. Shelf water moves out of the MAB by three main pathways: abrupt entrainment, gradual entrainment, and southern transport. Each of these pathways happened about equally over 2 years (2017–2018). Understanding these water movements is key for knowing how long water stays in an area, which is important for water quality and for the life cycle of marine species that breed there. The study also highlights how tropical cyclones (like Hurricanes Jose, Maria, and Chris) can dramatically change these water movement patterns, especially near Cape Hatteras. Key Points: Three Middle Atlantic Bight shelf water export patterns linked to specific wind conditions are identifiedLagrangian flow patterns of the MAB Shelf Water were notably impacted by 2017 and 2018 Atlantic Hurricane SeasonsSea Surface Velocity maps and Progressive Vector Diagrams reveal varied estuarine water pathways from Chesapeake and Delaware Bays [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At mid‐latitudes, a narrow band of near‐surface wind convergence (NSWC) overlies the western boundary currents in long‐term climatology as a response to steep sea surface temperature gradients. The underlying dynamics shaping mean convergence in the mid‐latitude region have been investigated in detail. In polar regions, surface temperature gradients are intense along the sea ice edges. However, literature concerning NSWC near sea ice edges is limited. This study investigates time‐mean NSWC along sea ice edges and its shaping processes, focusing on the Greenland Sea, based on atmospheric reanalysis. In cold‐season climatology, positive NSWC overlies the sea ice edge, resulting in a localized upward motion reaching the free atmosphere. The mean NSWC was insensitive to sea ice thickness and surface roughness in the regional model. This study suggests that, in addition to local atmospheric boundary processes, extreme NSWC events play a vital role in shaping the mean distribution. Although these features are similar to those along the Gulf Stream, atmospheric fronts appear to play a relatively minor role in the Greenland Sea. Instead, the frequent cyclone generation near the sea ice edge and the anticyclonic circulation over Greenland in conjunction with the transient synoptic circulation seem essential. In the warm season, positive NSWC was virtually missing in the Greenland Sea, unlike in the Gulf Stream region, reflecting the shallow virtual temperature response to the surface thermal forcing. This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms by which sea ice variability affects large‐scale atmospheric circulation in remote regions. Plain Language Summary: Previous studies have argued that sea ice variability in Arctic regions could affect large‐scale atmospheric circulation in remote regions. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. A deeper understanding of the impact of sea ice on the local atmosphere will aid in revealing these mechanisms. The present study investigates small‐scale (less than 1,000 km) atmospheric features close to sea‐ice edges, where surface temperature gradients are intense and can exert distinct impacts on the atmosphere. In the winter, the sea‐ice edge distinctly modulates the near‐surface wind, leading to an narrow band of intense upward wind. This upward wind reaches the middle of the atmosphere, suggesting that these features could relate to the effect of sea ice variability on large‐scale atmospheric circulation in remote regions. The physical processes modulating the mean near‐surface winds near the sea‐ice edge are found to be similar to those along the warm currents at the western edge of the basins (such as the Gulf Stream). However, atmospheric fronts appear to play a less important role. Instead, the frequent cyclone generation near the sea‐ice edge and the combination of the clockwise near‐surface wind around Greenland and near‐surface wind blowing from the ocean to sea‐ice regions appear essential. Key Points: A distinct band of mean near‐surface wind convergence overlies the sea ice edge in the Greenland Sea during winterThe mean near‐surface wind convergence along the sea ice edge is insensitive to ice thickness and surface roughness in a numerical modelThe anticyclonic circulation over Greenland and transient synoptic circulation are essential for shaping the time‐mean wind convergence [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gulf Stream, a major ocean current in the North Atlantic ocean is a key component in the global redistribution of heat and is important for marine ecosystems. Based on 27 years (1993–2019) of wind reanalysis and satellite altimetry measurements, we present observational evidence that the path of this freely meandering jet after its separation from the continental slope at Cape Hatteras, aligns with the region of maximum cyclonic vorticity of the wind stress field known as the positive vorticity pool. This synchronicity between the wind stress curl maximum region and the Gulf Stream path is observed at multiple time-scales ranging from months to decades, spanning a distance of 1500 km between 70 and 55W. The wind stress curl in the positive vorticity pool is estimated to drive persistent upward vertical velocities ranging from 5 to 17 cm day−1 over its ~ 400,000 km2 area; this upwelling may supply a steady source of deep nutrients to the Slope Sea region, and can explain as much as a quarter of estimated primary productivity there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes deterministic and stochastic energy‐aware hybrid models that should enable simulations of idealized and primitive‐equations Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (GFD) models at low resolutions without compromising on quality compared with high‐resolution runs. Such hybrid models bridge the data‐driven and physics‐driven modeling paradigms by combining regional stability and classical GFD models at low resolution that cannot reproduce high‐resolution reference flow features (large‐scale flows and small‐scale vortices) which are, however, resolved. Hybrid models use an energy‐aware correction of advection velocity and extra forcing compensating for the drift of the low‐resolution model away from the reference phase space. The main advantages of hybrid models are that they allow for physics‐driven flow recombination within the reference energy band, reproduce resolved reference flow features, and produce more accurate ensemble forecasts than their classical GFD counterparts. Hybrid models offer appealing benefits and flexibility to the modeling and forecasting communities, as they are computationally cheap and can use both numerically‐computed flows and observations from different sources. All these suggest that the hybrid approach has the potential to exploit low‐resolution models for long‐term weather forecasts and climate projections thus offering a new cost effective way of GFD modeling. The proposed hybrid approach has been tested on a three‐layer quasi‐geostrophic model for a beta‐plane Gulf Stream flow configuration. The results show that the low‐resolution hybrid model reproduces the reference flow features that are resolved on the coarse grid and also gives a more accurate ensemble forecast than the physics‐driven model. Plain Language Summary: Reliable weather forecast and climate prediction are crucial for socio‐economic sectors, decision making, and strategic planning for mitigating risks and impacts of natural disasters. In order to forecast weather and climate, observations and numerical models are used. A necessary ingredient for these forecasts is the ocean‐atmospheric model that resolves mesoscale oceanic eddies and can use large ensembles (hundred of members). Supercomputers can run eddy‐resolving simulations but only for single runs or use large ensembles but in non‐eddy‐resolving regimes. Applying the large ensemble approach with eddy‐resolving simulations is far beyond what supercomputers will be able to compute for the next decades, while it is urgently needed. This study offers deterministic and stochastic energy‐aware hybrid models that enable simulations of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics models at low resolutions without compromising on quality compared with high‐resolution runs. The use of low resolutions makes hybrid models much faster than high‐resolution physics‐driven runs. This acceleration can be translated into the use of larger ensembles. Thus, the proposed hybrid approach has the potential to exploit large ensembles of high‐quality solutions for long‐term weather forecasts and climate projections for the very first time. Key Points: Deterministic and stochastic energy‐aware hybrid models have been proposedHybrid models allow low‐resolution simulations without compromising on quality compared with high‐resolution runsHybrid approach produce more accurate ensemble predictions than their classical Geophysical Fluid Dynamics counterparts [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to fairly good knowledge of seasonal and interannual variability in North Atlantic salinity, its long-term historical changes remain poorly characterized, making it difficult to assess the current state and possible future changes. To fill this gap, we present the results of applying a non-parametric method of regression analysis (quantile regression) to assess long-term changes in North Atlantic salinity (0°–70° N, 8°–80° W) based on multiple datasets. The features of quantile trends in monthly salinity for a median value in two periods (1948–2018 and 1961–2011) are considered. In 1948–2018, salinization was generally detected in North Atlantic tropical and subtropical latitudes, while desalination was found in subpolar latitudes. For the 71-year period under consideration, the median monthly salinity in subtropical latitudes increased by 0.07 ± 0.02 PSU. Over the period 1961–2011, pronounced long-term changes in the North Atlantic salinity are difficult to identify based on the datasets used. A consistency analysis of significant salinity trends across the most used datasets allowed us to detect five small areas with pronounced positive trends in the upper ocean salinity. These include the Guiana Current, the vicinity of 12° N, 48° W, the Canary upwelling area, the region of the Gulf Stream transition to the North Atlantic Current and the western part of the North Atlantic Subpolar Gyre. In these areas, over a 51-year period, salinity in the 10–400 m layer increased by an average of 0.10 ± 0.04 PSU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions between the internal tide and the mesoscale circulation are studied from the internal tide energy budget perspective. To that end, the modal energy budget of the internal tide is diagnosed using a high resolution numerical simulation covering the North Atlantic. Compared to the topographic contribution, the advection of the internal tide by the low‐frequency flow component and the horizontal and vertical shear are found to be significant at global scale, while the buoyancy contribution is important locally. The advection of the internal tide by the low‐frequency currents is responsible for a net energy transfer from the large scale to smaller scale internal tide, without exchanges with the low‐frequency flow. On the opposite, the shear of the mesoscale circulation and the buoyancy field are responsible for exchanges between the internal tide and the low‐frequency flow. The importance of the shear increases in the northernmost part of the domain, and a partial compensation between the buoyancy and the shear contributions is found in some areas of the North Atlantic, such as in the Gulf Stream region. In addition, the temporal variability of these energy transfers is investigated. In contrast to topographic scattering, for which the spring‐neap cycle is the dominant frequency, the energy transfer terms driven by low‐frequency motions in areas of strong mesoscale activity are also modulated by variations of the low‐frequency current spatial distribution. Plain Language Summary: Internal tides are waves generated when the tidal motions, induced by the Moon and Sun gravitational attraction on the ocean, interact with topographical features. These waves, which are ubiquitous in the ocean, then propagate inside of the ocean interior and interact with other types of currents. This study investigates the wave‐currents interactions and their impact on the energy exchanges in the ocean using a high‐resolution realistic numerical simulation. We find that, although the scattering of internal tides by the topography is dominant in their energy budget, the interaction with the currents are significant at the basin scale. They lead to transfers of energy from large scale internal waves to smaller ones, and between currents and internal tides in the Labrador sea and Faroe islands vicinity. This transfer of energy is likely to impact the ocean mixing driven by the small scale internal tide, and thereby to affect the global ocean circulation. The temporal variability of these current‐internal tides interactions shows the same period as the variability of the semi‐diurnal astronomical tide, with a modulation by the temporal variability of the currents. Key Points: Although topographic scattering is dominant, low‐frequency flow has a strong impact on the internal tide energy cycleThe dominant effect of low‐frequency flow on internal tide is a transfer of energy toward smaller scaleLow‐frequency flow induced interactions show an imprint of the spring neap cycle modulated by variations in the currents [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here present the very-high resolution version of the EC-Earth global climate model, EC-Earth3P-VHR, developed for HighResMIP. The model features an atmospheric resolution of ~16 km and an oceanic resolution of 1/12° (~8 km), which makes it one of the finest combined resolutions ever used to complete historical and scenario-like CMIP6 simulations. To evaluate the influence of numerical resolution on the simulated climate, EC-Earth3P-VHR is compared with two configurations of the same model at lower resolution: the ~100-km-grid EC-Earth3P-LR, and the ~25-km-grid EC-Earth3P-HR. The models' biases are evaluated against observations over the period 1980–2014. Compared to LR and HR, VHR shows a reduced equatorial Pacific cold tongue bias, an improved Gulf Stream representation with a reduced coastal warm bias and a reduced subpolar North Atlantic cold bias, and more realistic orographic precipitation over mountain ranges. By contrast, VHR shows a larger warm bias and overly low sea ice extent over the Southern Ocean. Such biases in surface temperature have an impact on the atmospheric circulation aloft, with improved stormtrack over the North Atlantic, yet worsened stormtrack over the Southern Ocean compared to the lower resolution model versions. Other biases persist with increased resolution from LR to VHR, such as the warm bias over the tropical upwelling region and the associated cloud cover underestimation, and the precipitation excess over the tropical South Atlantic and North Pacific. VHR shows improved air–sea coupling over the tropical region, although it tends to overestimate the oceanic influence on the atmospheric variability at mid-latitudes compared to observations and LR and HR. Together, these results highlight the potential for improved simulated climate in key regions, such as the Gulf Stream and the Equator, when the atmospheric and oceanic resolutions are finer than 25 km in both the ocean and atmosphere. Thanks to its unprecedented resolution, EC-Earth3P-VHR offers a new opportunity to study climate variability and change of such areas on regional/local spatial scales, in line with regional climate models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explore the impact of oceanic moisture fluxes on atmospheric blocks using the ECMWF IFS. Artificially suppressing surface latent heat flux over the Gulf Stream (GS) region reduces atmospheric blocking frequency across the Northern Hemisphere by up to 30%. Affected blocks show a shorter lifespan (−6%), smaller spatial extent (−10%), and reduced intensity (−0.4%), with an increased number of individual blocking anticyclones (+17%). These findings are robust across various blocking detection thresholds. Analysis reveals a qualitatively consistent response across all resolutions, with Tco639 (∼18 km) showing the largest statistically significant change across all blocking characteristics, although differences between resolutions are not statistically significant. Exploring the broader Rossby wave pattern, we observe that diminished moisture fluxes favor eastward propagation and higher zonal wavenumbers, while air‐sea interactions promote stationary and westward‐propagating waves with zonal wavenumber 3. This study underscores the critical role of the GS in modulating atmospheric blocking. Plain Language Summary: In our study, we investigated how changes in oceanic moisture, specifically from the Gulf Stream (GS), affect atmospheric blocking events using the ECMWF Integrated Forecast System. By artificially reducing the moisture flux from the GS area, we observed a notable decrease in the occurrence of atmospheric blocks across the Northern Hemisphere‐up to 30%. These blocks also showed changes in their characteristics: they had shorter durations by 6%, were 10% smaller in spatial size, and had a slight decrease in intensity, alongside a 17% increase in their detection rates. Our findings were consistent across different methods of identifying blocks. We also discovered that the model's resolution influences the observed changes, with coarser resolutions (larger than approximately 18 km) not showing significant alterations in some blocking traits despite the overall frequency reduction. Further analysis into Rossby wave patterns revealed that reduced moisture flux tends to favor faster eastward‐moving patterns with shorter wavelengths, whereas interactions between the air and sea support more stationary or westward‐moving waves, particularly those with a zonal wavenumber of 3. This highlights the crucial role that moisture from western boundary currents like the GS plays in the development and behavior of atmospheric blocking patterns. Key Points: Gulf Stream (GS) moisture flux suppression reduces atmospheric blocking across the Northern HemisphereGS moisture fluxes generate larger jet stream perturbations, fostering faster westward‐propagating Rossby wavesHigher resolution models enhance signal transport from the boundary layer to the upper troposphere [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connection between atmospheric blocking over the North Atlantic and the diabatic influence of the Gulf Stream is investigated using potential vorticity and moist potential vorticity diagnostics in the ERA5 reanalysis data set during wintertime (1979 - 2020). In line with previous research, the reliance atmospheric blocking has on turbulent heat fluxes over the Gulf Stream and its extension, for induction and maintenance, is shown to be significant. The air-sea heat flux generates negative potential vorticity air masses in the atmospheric boundary layer. These air masses subsequently contribute to the block's negative potential vorticity anomaly at upper levels through ascending motion in the warm conveyor belt. It is shown that the block's size and frequency partially depends on oceanic preconditioning via anomalous oceanic heat transport and heat content, prior to the blocking event, both of which allow for stronger turbulent heat fluxes. It is further hypothesized that the block feeds back positively on itself through the advection of cold dry air over the Gulf Stream, sustaining this air-sea interaction. This in turn decreases ocean heat content, eventually halting this air-sea interaction and severing the atmospheric block from its maintenance pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gulf Stream (GS) ocean front exhibits intense ocean–atmosphere interaction in winter, which has a significant impact on the genesis and development of extratropical cyclones in the North Atlantic. The atmospheric rivers (ARs), closely related with the cyclones, transport substantial moisture from the North Atlantic towards the Western European coast. While the influence of the GS front on extratropical cyclones has been extensively studied, its effect on ARs remains unclear. In this study, two sets of ensemble experiments are conducted using a high-resolution global Community Atmosphere Model forced with or without the GS sea surface temperature front. Our findings reveal that the inclusion of the GS front leads to approximately 25% enhancement of water vapor transport and precipitation associated with ARs in the GS region, attributed to changes in both AR frequency and intensity. Furthermore, this leads to a more pronounced downstream response in Western Europe, characterized by up to 60% (40%) precipitation increases (reductions) around Spain (Norway) for the most extreme events (exceeding 90 mm/day). The influence of the GS front on ARs is mediated by both thermodynamic and dynamic factors. The thermodynamic aspect involves an overall increase of water vapor in both the GS region and Western Europe, promoting AR genesis. The dynamic aspect encompasses changes in storm tracks and Rossby wave train, contributing to downstream AR shift. Importantly, we find the co-occurrence of ARs and the GS front is crucial for inducing deep ascending motion and heating above the GS front, which perturbs the deep troposphere and triggers upper-level Rossby wave response. These findings provide a further understanding of the complex interaction between the oceanic front in the western boundary current regions and extratropical weather systems and the associated dynamics behind them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite altimetry combined with data assimilation and optimal interpolation schemes have deeply renewed our ability to monitor sea surface dynamics. Recently, deep learning schemes have emerged as appealing solutions to address space‐time interpolation problems. However, the training of state‐of‐the‐art neural schemes on real‐world case‐studies is hindered by the sparse space‐time coverage of the sea surface of real altimetry data set. Here, we introduce an innovative approach that leverages state‐of‐the‐art ocean models to train simulation‐based neural schemes for the mapping of sea surface height and demonstrate their performance on real altimetry data sets. We analyze further how the ocean simulation data set used during the training phase impacts this performance. This experimental analysis covers both the resolution from eddy‐present configurations to eddy‐rich ones, forced simulations versus reanalyzes using data assimilation and tide‐free versus tide‐resolving simulations. Our benchmarking framework focuses on a Gulf Stream region for a realistic 5‐altimeter constellation using NEMO ocean simulations and 4DVarNet mapping schemes. All simulation‐based 4DVarNets outperform the operational observation‐driven and reanalysis products, namely DUACS and GLORYS. The more realistic the ocean simulation data set used during the training phase, the better the mapping. The best 4DVarNet mapping was trained from an eddy‐rich and tide‐free simulation data sets. It improves the resolved longitudinal scale from 151 km for DUACS and 241 km for GLORYS to 98 km and reduces the root mean square error by 23% and 61%. These results open research avenues for new synergies between ocean modeling and ocean observation using learning‐based approaches. Plain Language Summary: To train an artificial intelligence (AI) model, one need to describe a task using data and an evaluation procedure. Here we aim at constructing images related to the ocean surface currents. The satellite data we use provide images of the ocean surface with a lot of missing data (around 95% of missing pixels for a given day), and we aim at finding the values of the missing pixels. Because we don't know the full image, it is challenging to train an AI on this task using only the satellite data. However, today's physical knowledge makes it possible to numerically simulate oceans on big computers. For these simulated oceans, we have access to the gap‐free image, so we can train AI models by first hiding some pixels and checking if the model fill the gaps with the correct values. Here, we explore under which conditions AIs trained on simulated oceans are useful for the real ocean. We show that today's simulated oceans work well for training an AI on this task and that training on more realistic simulated oceans improve the performance of the AI! Key Points: We suggest utilizing ocean simulation data sets to train neural schemes for mapping real altimeter dataThe trained neural scheme improves the spatial scales resolved over the operational mapping product on a GulfStream case study by 30%Using more realistic simulation data sets improves the resulting neural mapping scheme by up to 20% in the spatial scales resolved [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canonical understanding based on general circulation models (GCMs) is that the atmospheric circulation response to midlatitude sea‐surface temperature (SST) anomalies is weak compared to the larger influence of tropical SST anomalies. However, the ∼100‐km horizontal resolution of modern GCMs is too coarse to resolve strong updrafts within weather fronts, which could provide a pathway for surface anomalies to be communicated aloft. Here, we investigate the large‐scale atmospheric circulation response to idealized Gulf Stream SST anomalies in Community Atmosphere Model (CAM6) simulations with 14‐km regional grid refinement over the North Atlantic, and compare it to the responses in simulations with 28‐km regional refinement and uniform 111‐km resolution. The highest resolution simulations show a large positive response of the wintertime North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) to positive SST anomalies in the Gulf Stream, a 0.4‐standard‐deviation anomaly in the seasonal‐mean NAO for 2°C SST anomalies. The lower‐resolution simulations show a weaker response with a different spatial structure. The enhanced large‐scale circulation response results from an increase in resolved vertical motions with resolution and an associated increase in the influence of SST anomalies on transient‐eddy heat and momentum fluxes in the free troposphere. In response to positive SST anomalies, these processes lead to a stronger and less variable North Atlantic jet, as is characteristic of positive NAO anomalies. Our results suggest that the atmosphere responds differently to midlatitude SST anomalies in higher‐resolution models and that regional refinement in key regions offers a potential pathway to improve multi‐year regional climate predictions based on midlatitude SSTs. Plain Language Summary: Variations in the ocean surface temperature (SST) influence the atmospheric circulation and thus climate over land. Canonical understanding is that tropical SSTs are more important than SSTs in midlatitudes. However, this understanding is based on climate models that don't resolve processes at scales less than 100 km. Here, we show that by increasing the atmospheric model resolution to resolve features on smaller scales, such as weather fronts, we find a larger atmospheric circulation response to midlatitude SST anomalies in the North Atlantic. North Atlantic SST anomalies can be predicted multiple years in advance, and a larger atmospheric circulation response to these predictable SST anomalies therefore implies increased predictability of climate over the surrounding land regions. Key Points: There is a large circulation response to idealized Gulf Stream sea‐surface temperature (SST) anomalies in an atmospheric model with 14‐km regional grid refinementThis response is weaker or absent in simulations with 28‐km or coarser resolution, which do not fully resolve mesoscale frontal processesTransient‐eddy fluxes of heat and momentum are modified as fronts pass over warm SSTs, leading to a large‐scale circulation response [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long‐standing hypothesis is that the steady along‐shelf circulation in the Northwest Atlantic (NWA) coastal ocean is driven by buoyancy input from continental freshwater runoff. However, the forcing from the freshwater runoff has not been adequately evaluated and compared with other potential driving mechanisms. This study investigates the roles of both wind stress and freshwater runoff in driving the mean along‐shelf flow in the NWA coastal ocean and examines other potential drivers using a newly developed high‐resolution regional model with realistic forcing conditions. The results reveal that wind stress has a larger impact than freshwater runoff on the overall mean circulation and along‐shelf sea‐level gradient on the NWA shelf. While the continental freshwater input consistently contributes to the equatorward along‐shelf flow and higher sea level along the coast, wind stress is more effective for the setup of the broad‐scale circulation pattern by driving the along‐shelf flow on the Labrador Shelf and opposing the flow in the Mid‐Atlantic Bight and on the Scotian Shelf. In addition to the local wind and continental runoff, the sub‐Arctic inflow from higher latitude is an essential part of the NWA shelf circulation system. This remote driver directly contributes to the along‐shelf flow and insulates the shelf flow from the Gulf Stream on the southern shelves. Plain Language Summary: This study addresses a long‐standing question of what drives the mean equatorward flow along the Northwest Atlantic continental shelf. The results show that the mean along‐shelf flow is influenced more by wind stress than local buoyancy forcing resulting from the freshwater discharges from rivers and glaciers, which has long been considered the dominant driver of the along‐shelf circulation. Remote forcing through inflow from higher latitude is also important in maintaining the broad‐scale mean along‐shelf flow and sea level. This work also provides updated views of the circulation dynamics and momentum balance of the mean along‐shelf circulation, contributing to the understanding of both the current and future states of our ocean and climate systems. Key Points: Wind forcing plays an important role in setting up the mean along‐shelf flow in the Northwest Atlantic (NWA) coastal oceanLocal buoyancy from continental runoff is not as significant as previously hypothesizedRemote subpolar inflow is an essential part of the NWA shelf circulation system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benthic storms are episodes of intensified near‐bottom currents capable of sediment resuspension in the deep ocean. They typically occur under regions of high surface eddy kinetic energy (EKE), such as the Gulf Stream. Although they have long been observed, the mechanism(s) responsible for their formation and their relationships with salient features of the deep ocean, such as bottom mixed layers (BMLs) and benthic nepheloid layers (BNLs), remain poorly understood. Here we conduct idealized experiments with a primitive‐equation model to explore the impacts of the unforced instability of a surface‐intensified jet on near‐bottom flows of a deep zonal channel. Vertical resolution is increased near the bottom to represent the bottom boundary layer. We find that the unstable near‐surface jet develops meanders and evolves into alternating, deep‐reaching cyclones and anticyclones. Simultaneously, EKE increases near the bottom due to the convergence of vertical eddy pressure fluxes, leading to near‐bottom currents comparable to those observed during benthic storms. These currents in turn form BMLs with thickness of O(100 m) from enhanced velocity shears and turbulence production near the bottom. The deep cyclonic eddies transport fluid particles both laterally and vertically, from near the bottom through the entire BML and may contribute to the formation of the lower part of BNLs. A sloping bottom reduces both the intensity of the near‐bottom currents and the extent of vertical transport. Overall, our study highlights a significant response of the abyssal environment to near‐surface current instability, with potential implications for sediment transport in the deep ocean. Plain Language Summary: Benthic storms are episodes of vigorous near‐bottom currents that are capable of sediment resuspension at abyssal depths in the ocean. They typically occur in regions characterized by strong and unstable currents near the surface, such as the Gulf Stream. In this study, we use an ocean circulation model to simulate the instability of a surface current like the Gulf Stream, and to explore the effects of this instability on the environment near the bottom in an idealized oceanic basin. We find that strong cyclonic and anticyclonic currents are simulated near the bottom in response to the instability of the surface current. The intensity of deep currents varies strongly with distance from the bottom, which creates turbulence and a well‐mixed layer adjacent to the deep seabed. In deep cyclones, particles from near the bottom can be transported upward through the entire well‐mixed layer. A steeper topographic slope reduces both the intensity of the bottom currents and the vertical displacement of particles. Overall, our study shows that the physical environment near the bottom may exhibit a strong response to the instability of surface currents, which may have a potentially significant impact on the transport of fine sediment from the seafloor. Key Points: Bottom currents simulated from the intrinsic instability of a near‐surface jet reach speeds similar to those observed during benthic stormsAbyssal eddy kinetic energy increases, producing deep eddies, strong local turbulence, and bottom mixed layers up to O(100 m) thickParticles near the bottom are advected both laterally and vertically in deep cyclones, with potential implications for sediment transport [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A continuous decrease in aerosols over the Western North Atlantic Ocean (WNAO) on a decadal timescale provides a long‐term benchmark to evaluate how various natural and anthropogenic processes affect the manifestation of aerosol‐cloud interactions in this region. Furthermore, the WNAO serves as a natural laboratory with diverse aerosol sources, marine boundary layer clouds more variable than those in marine stratocumulus deck regions, and unique flow regimes established by the Gulf Stream and the semi‐permanent Bermuda High. We investigate how satellite‐retrieved macrophysical and microphysical properties of low clouds and the surface shortwave irradiance changed from 2003 to 2020, in tandem with this aerosol decrease. The decadal changes in large‐scale meteorology related to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) are also examined. We find a reduction in low‐cloud optical thickness, accompanied by fewer and larger cloud droplets, yet observe no significant changes in low‐cloud fraction and liquid water path. Despite the reduction in low‐cloud optical thickness together with aerosol decrease, a corresponding increase in the trends of surface shortwave irradiance, also known as surface brightening, is lacking. This absence of brightening is potentially related to concomitant changes found in large‐scale meteorology associated with NAO—Bermuda High strengthening, sea surface warming, and atmospheric moistening— as well as an increase in high‐level cloud fraction that can counteract the surface brightening. Ultimately, our findings suggest that spatial patterns of decadal meteorological variability introduce complexities in the surface cloud radiative effect over the WNAO, thereby complicating the isolation and examination of aerosol‐cloud interactions. Plain Language Summary: Over recent decades, the Western North Atlantic Ocean has experienced a steady decrease in aerosols—tiny particles in the air. This situation offers a chance to study how natural phenomena and human activities influence cloud‐aerosol interactions. The area is known for its diverse aerosol sources, complex cloud types, and distinct oceanic and atmospheric flow patterns influenced by the Gulf Stream and Bermuda High. By analyzing satellite data from 2003 to 2020, we investigated how low‐lying clouds and sunlight penetration have changed in response to fewer aerosols, and how the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) affects weather patterns. Our findings show that while low‐lying clouds have become more transparent with fewer, larger droplets, their coverage and juiciness have not changed significantly. Contrary to expectations, these changes have not lead to an increase in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface, a phenomenon known as "surface brightening." This could be due to NAO‐related warmer sea surfaces, increased moisture, and more high‐level clouds, which might obscure any brightening. Our study shows that weather shifts in the Western North Atlantic Ocean add complexity to understanding how clouds influence sunlight, challenging the study of aerosol‐cloud interactions. Key Points: In tandem with the continuous decrease in aerosol, low‐cloud droplets became fewer and larger over the western North AtlanticDespite concurrent changes in aerosol and low‐cloud optical properties, surface shortwave irradiance lacked reciprocal significant trendsMeteorological fields—temperature and humidity—correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation had changed, exhibiting tripolar patterns [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite altimetry offers a unique approach for direct sea surface current observation, but it is limited to measuring the surface‐constrained geostrophic component. Ageostrophic dynamics, prevalent at horizontal scales below 100 km and time scales below 10 days, are often underestimated by ocean reanalyzes employing data assimilation schemes. To address this limitation, we introduce a novel deep learning scheme, rooted in a variational data assimilation formulation with trainable observations and a priori terms, that harnesses the synergies between satellite‐derived sea surface observations, namely sea surface height (SSH) and sea surface temperature (SST), to enhance sea surface current reconstruction. Numerical experiments, conducted using realistic simulations, in a case study area of the Gulf Stream, demonstrate the potential of the proposed scheme to capture ageostrophic dynamics at time scales of 2.5–3.0 days and horizontal scales of 0.5°–0.7°. The analysis of diverse observation configurations, encompassing nadir along‐track altimetry, wide‐swath SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) altimetry, and SST data, highlights the pivotal role of SST features in retrieving a significant portion of the ageostrophic dynamics (approximately 47%). These findings underscore the potential of deep learning and 4DVarNet schemes in improving ocean reanalyzes and enhancing our understanding of ocean dynamics. Plain Language Summary: Satellite altimetry provides a unique means for direct observation of sea surface currents, but it is confined to the geostrophic component, limiting the recovery of a substantial portion of mesoscale sea surface currents in operational products. To address this limitation, we present a novel deep learning framework, rooted in a variational data assimilation paradigm, that unlocks new avenues for leveraging the synergistic relationships between satellite‐derived sea surface observations, namely sea surface height and sea surface temperature. This innovative scheme demonstrates its remarkable potential to enhance sea surface current reconstruction and recover a substantial portion of the elusive ageostrophic dynamics. Numerical experiments, employing realistic simulations, in a case study area along the Gulf Stream, underscore the efficacy of our proposed approach. These findings support the pivotal role of physics‐informed deep learning in maximizing the utilization of available multimodal observation data sets and numerical simulations to elucidate partially observed sea surface dynamics. Key Points: We present end‐to‐end deep learning schemes to improve the reconstruction of total sea surface currents from satellite‐derived observationsExperiments in a region of the Gulf Stream support the synergistic analysis of sea surface temperature and sea surface height dataThe strain of sea surface dynamics is a proxy of the uncertainty of the retrieved estimation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climatological mean barotropic vorticity budget is analyzed to investigate the relative importance of surface wind stress, topography, planetary vorticity advection, and nonlinear advection in dynamical balances in a global ocean simulation. In addition to a pronounced regional variability in vorticity balances, the relative magnitudes of vorticity budget terms strongly depend on the length‐scale of interest. To carry out a length‐scale dependent vorticity analysis in different ocean basins, vorticity budget terms are spatially coarse‐grained. At length‐scales greater than 1,000 km, the dynamics closely follow the Topographic‐Sverdrup balance in which bottom pressure torque, surface wind stress curl and planetary vorticity advection terms are in balance. In contrast, when including all length‐scales resolved by the model, bottom pressure torque and nonlinear advection terms dominate the vorticity budget (Topographic‐Nonlinear balance), which suggests a prominent role of oceanic eddies, which are of O(10–100) $\mathcal{O}(10\mbox{--}100)$ km in size, and the associated bottom pressure anomalies in local vorticity balances at length‐scales smaller than 1,000 km. Overall, there is a transition from the Topographic‐Nonlinear regime at scales smaller than 1,000 km to the Topographic‐Sverdrup regime at length‐scales greater than 1,000 km. These dynamical balances hold across all ocean basins; however, interpretations of the dominant vorticity balances depend on the level of spatial filtering or the effective model resolution. On the other hand, the contribution of bottom and lateral friction terms in the barotropic vorticity budget remains small and is significant only near sea‐land boundaries, where bottom stress and horizontal viscous friction generally peak. Plain Language Summary: Vorticity provides a measure of the local rotation and shear of fluid flow. The analysis of physical processes contributing to ocean vorticity has proven fundamental to our understanding of how those processes drive ocean flows, ranging from large‐scale ocean gyres to boundary currents such as the Gulf Stream, which is tens of km in width. Furthermore, a vorticity analysis can inform us about the relative importance of different physical processes in generating flow structures having different length scales. In the present work, we perform a length‐scale dependent vorticity budget analysis using a coarse‐graining method to remove signals finer than a fixed length scale. We coarse‐grain the climatological mean vorticity budget terms over a range of length scales, and then compare the relative magnitudes to identify the dominant vorticity balances as a function of length scale. We find that the spatial structure of the meridional transport is mainly controlled by atmospheric winds, variations in ocean depth and the momentum transport by ocean currents. However, the relative magnitudes of these factors change drastically at different length scales. We conclude that physical interpretations of the primary vorticity balances are fundamentally dependent on the chosen length scale of the analysis. Key Points: Relative magnitudes of barotropic vorticity budget terms display significant length‐scale dependenceBottom pressure torque and wind stress curl control the depth‐integrated meridional flow at length scales larger than 1,000 kmNonlinear advection and bottom pressure torque dominate the barotropic vorticity budget at smaller length scales [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few observational platforms are able to sustain direct measurements of all the key variables needed in the bulk calculation of air‐sea carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange, a capability newly established for some Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs). Western boundary currents are particularly challenging observational regions due to strong variability and dangerous sea states but are also known hot spots for CO2 uptake, making air‐sea exchange quantification in this region both difficult and important. Here, we present new observations collected by Saildrone USVs in the Gulf Stream during the winters of 2019 and 2022. We compared Saildrone data across co‐located vehicles and against the Pioneer Array moorings to validate the data quality. We explored how CO2 flux estimates differ when all variables needed to calculate fluxes from the bulk formulas are simultaneously measured on the same platform, relative to the situation where in situ observations must be combined with publicly‐available data products. We systematically replaced variables in the bulk formula with those often used for local and regional flux estimates. The analysis revealed that when using the ERA‐5 reanalysis wind speed in place of in situ observations, the ocean uptake of CO2 is underestimated by 8%; this underestimate grows to 9% if the NOAA Marine Boundary Layer atmospheric CO2 product and ERA‐5 significant wave height are also used in place of in situ observations. Overall our findings point to the importance of collecting contemporaneous observations of wind speed and ocean pCO2 to reduce biases in estimates of regional CO2 flux, especially during high wind events. Plain Language Summary: The North Atlantic Ocean absorbs a large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The ocean CO2 uptake mainly occurs during the winter months in a region where a swift ocean current, called the Gulf Stream, carries warm waters from the tropics to northern latitudes. Understanding how much CO2 this ocean region absorbs is important for constraining global scale assessments of the sources and sinks of CO2. In this paper, we reflect on the methods that are typically used to calculate the exchange of CO2 between the ocean and atmosphere. Using new data collected by uncrewed surface vehicles, that resemble small sailboats, in the North Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of the Gulf Stream, we find that the estimate of the exchange of CO2 is larger when directly measured wind speeds are used in the calculation in comparison to wind speeds from a widely used data product. This result signifies the importance of co‐located sensors on the same observing platform. Key Points: Compared to Saildrone wind speeds, the ERA‐5 reanalysis appears to underestimate the highest wind speed events (>10 m s−1)Co‐located ocean pCO2 and wind speed observations results in larger uptake of CO2 in this region by 9%Using a sea‐state dependent gas transfer velocity leads to a 28% greater ocean uptake of CO2 compared to using a wind‐only equation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding nitrogen (N) uptake rates respect to nutrient availability and the biogeography of phytoplankton communities is crucial for untangling the complexities of marine ecosystems and the physical, biological, and chemical forces shaping them. In the summer of 2016, we conducted measurements of bulk microbial uptake rates for six 15N-labeled substrates: nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, urea, cyanate, and dissolve free amino acids across distinct marine provinces, including the continental shelf of the Mid-and South Atlantic Bights (MAB and SAB), the Slope Sea, and the Gulf Stream, marking the first instance of simultaneously measuring six different N uptake rates in this dynamic region. Total measured N uptake rates were lowest in the Gulf Stream followed by the SAB. Notably, the MAB exhibited significantly higher N uptake rates compared to the SAB, likely due to the excess levels of pre-existing phosphorus present in the MAB. Together, urea and nitrate uptake contributed approximately 50% of the total N uptake across the study region. Although cyanate uptake rates were consistently low, they accounted for up to 11% of the total measured N uptake at some Gulf Stream stations. Phytoplankton groups were identified based on specific pigment markers, revealing a dominance of diatoms in the shelf community, while Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and pico-eukaryotes dominated in oligotrophic Gulf Stream waters. The reported uptake rates in this study were mostly in agreement with previous studies conducted in coastal waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. This study suggests there are distinct regional patterns of N uptake in this physically dynamic region, correlating with nutrient availability and phytoplankton community composition. These findings contribute valuable insights into the intricate interplay of biological and chemical factors shaping N dynamics in disparate marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high rate of biological productivity in the North Atlantic is stimulated by the advective supply of nutrients into the region via the Gulf Stream (nutrient stream). It has been proposed that the projected future decline in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) will cause a reduction in nutrient supply and resulting productivity. In this work, we examine how the nutrient stream changed over the Younger Dryas climate reversal that marked the transition out of the last ice age. Gulf Stream nutrient content decreased, and oxygen content increased at the Florida Straits during this time of weakened AMOC. The decreased nutrient stream was accompanied by a reduction in biological productivity at higher latitudes in the North Atlantic, which supports the link postulated in theoretical and modeling studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of near-bottom ocean current velocities and especially their extreme values is necessary to understand geomorphology of the seafloor and composition of benthic biological communities and quantify mechanical energy dissipation by bottom drag. Direct measurements of near-bottom currents in deep ocean remain scarce because of logistical challenges. Here, we report the results of flow velocity and pressure fluctuation measurements at three sites with depths of 2573–4443 m in the area where the Gulf Stream interacts with the New England Seamounts. Repeated episodes of unexpectedly strong near-bottom currents were observed, with the current speed at 4443 m of more than 0.40 m/s. At 2573 m, current speeds exceeded 0.20 m/s approximately 5% of the time throughout the entire eight-week measurement period. The maximum flow speeds of over 1.10 m/s recorded at this site significantly surpass the fastest previously reported directly measured current speeds at comparable or larger depths. A strong correlation is found between the noise intensity in the infrasonic band and the measured current speed. The noise intensity and the characteristic frequency increase with the increasing current speed. Machine-learning tools are employed to infer current speeds from flow-noise measurements at the site not equipped with a current meter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the weather conditions in the United States during January and February 2024. It mentions winter storms, blizzard conditions, and improvements in drought conditions in some areas. The mid-month Arctic blast brought sub-zero temperatures to various regions, while other areas experienced above-normal temperatures. The article also highlights record-setting precipitation, heavy rainfall, flooding, and snowfall in different locations throughout the two months. In February, there were wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, record-breaking high temperatures, and the warmest winter on record for the United States. Alaska experienced a mix of cold and mild weather with varying precipitation levels. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the occurrence of intensifying storms over the upper Mississippi Valley and their potential connection to global climate change. The author, a meteorology professor, notes the unusual frequency of cyclone intensification in this region, particularly near the Great Lakes. They also mention the "Warming Hole," a phenomenon characterized by cooler and wetter conditions surrounded by above-normal temperatures, which has been linked to persistent above-normal sea surface temperatures over the southern tropical Pacific Ocean. The author suggests that the increased cyclone activity in the upper Mississippi Valley may be related to the changes in temperature and precipitation patterns caused by the Warming Hole and global climate change. However, further investigation is needed to establish a firm relationship between these factors. [Extracted from the article]

Based on data collected from 14 buoys in the Gulf Stream, this study examines how hourly air–sea turbulent heat fluxes vary on subdaily time scales under different boundary layer stability conditions. The annual mean magnitudes of the subdaily variations in latent and sensible heat fluxes at all stations are 40 and 15 W m−2, respectively. Under near-neutral conditions, hourly fluctuations in air–sea humidity and temperature differences are the major drivers of subdaily variations in latent and sensible heat fluxes, respectively. When the boundary layer is stable, on the other hand, wind anomalies play a dominant role in shaping the subdaily variations in latent and sensible heat fluxes. In the context of a convectively unstable boundary layer, wind anomalies exert a strong controlling influence on subdaily variations in latent heat fluxes, whereas subdaily variations in sensible heat fluxes are equally determined by air–sea temperature difference and wind anomalies. The relative contributions by all physical quantities that affect subdaily variations in turbulent heat fluxes are further documented. For near-neutral and unstable boundary layers, the subdaily contributions are O(2) and O(1) W m−2 for latent and sensible heat fluxes, respectively, and they are less than O(1) W m−2 for turbulent heat fluxes under stable conditions. Significance Statement: High-resolution buoy observations of air–sea variables in the Gulf Stream provide the opportunity to investigate the physical factors that determine subdaily variations in air–sea turbulent heat fluxes. This study addresses two key points. First, the observed subdaily amplitudes of heat fluxes are related to various processes, including wind fields and air–sea thermal effect differences. Second, the global sea surface heat budget is known to not be in near-zero balance and it ranges from several to tens of watts per square meter. Therefore, consideration of the relatively strong influence of subdaily variability in air–sea turbulent heat fluxes could provide a new strategy for solving the global heat budget balance problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By transporting warm and salty water poleward, the Gulf Stream system maintains a mild climate in northwestern Europe while also facilitating the dense water formation that feeds the deep ocean. The sensitivity of North Atlantic circulation to future greenhouse gas emissions seen in climate models has prompted an increasing effort to monitor the various ocean circulation components in recent decades. Here, we synthesize available ocean transport measurements from several observational programs in the North Atlantic and Nordic Seas, as well as an ocean state estimate (ECCOv4-r4), for an enhanced understanding of the Gulf Stream and its poleward extensions as an interconnected circulation system. We see limited coherent variability between the records on interannual timescales, highlighting the local oceanic response to atmospheric circulation patterns and variable recirculation timescales within the gyres. On decadal timescales, we find a weakening subtropical circulation between the mid-2000s and mid-2010s, while the inflow and circulation in the Nordic Seas remained stable. Differing decadal trends in the subtropics, subpolar North Atlantic, and Nordic Seas warrant caution in using observational records at a single latitude to infer large-scale circulation change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of the gulf stream (GS) on sea-level oscillations across various time scales and assesses the performance of a coastal and estuarine model nested within a global model in simulating these variations. It aims to improve boundary conditions to simulate sea-level oscillations more accurately by considering the influence of GS flow. An inverse correlation is observed between observed sea-level oscillation and GS flow, which becomes more pronounced over longer time scales. Using Delft3D, a high-resolution coastal and estuarine model is developed to simulate circulation dynamics in the central Indian River Lagoon (IRL), FL, and adjacent coastal areas on the Florida east coast. The model is nested into the HYCOM (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model), and meteorological forcings are derived from the NARR (North American Regional Reanalysis) model. The model demonstrates satisfactory performance across key parameters, including tide, salinity, water temperature, and currents. However, there remains a noticeable difference between the modeled and observed data. To address this, the model is executed with modified flow boundary conditions at eastern boundary nodes, integrating HYCOM tide, and observing low-frequency sea-level variations. The implementation of the new boundary conditions results in an improved simulation of sea-level oscillations. This study presents the conceptual framework and detailed methodologies employed in the creation of a high-resolution model tailored for estuarine and coastal areas nested into global models capable of satisfactorily simulating sea-level oscillations even when the global model does not represent GS effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present-day climate (the recent 100–150 years) obviously constitutes the structure of a global intra-system rhythmic process with an individual rhythm of about 60 years. In turn, each of the rhythms is presented by the two climate phases of about 25–35 years characterized by qualitative differences: one phase is relatively continental, while the other is humid. Globality and quasi-synchronism of environmental changes are accompanied by planetary structures: the Global Atmospheric Oscillation (GAO) in the atmosphere and the Multidecadal Oscillation of the Heat content in the Ocean (MOHO) discovered relatively recently. Unexpected and rapid qualitative phase changes in the climate, which first focused attention in the mid-1970s of the last century, were titled "climate shifts". The revealed features of the present-day climate are of exceptional scientific and practical interest and deserve the development of methods for predicting the timing of the forthcoming climate shift. Arising unexpectedly and accompanied by rapid significant changes, these shifts identified the problem of understanding the nature and establishing the processes and mechanisms causing them. First of all, of interest are phase changes in the thermodynamic state of the climate system components: the ocean, atmosphere, and continents. As a result of the World Ocean (WO) thermohydrodynamics numerical modelling, it is shown that MOHO is localized in the layer of the main thermocline, where the most important elements of the WO circulation are located. The performed study based on observational data allows us to conclude that, during the phase of the WO thermal discharge (1975–1999), the two key systems of currents, the Kuroshio and the Gulf Stream, were under similar thermodynamic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bay barnacle Amphibalanus improvisus (Darwin, 1854) has been found in Northern Germany in brackish marine sediments of the Holsteinian interglacial. Whereas the cause of the contemporary distribution of this species is anthropogenic and there is evidence that it has resulted mainly from shipping, the fossil findings demonstrate that A. improvisus had also already reached Europe naturally during the Pleistocene in Europe, probably via the Gulf Stream system of the Atlantic. Today, A. improvisus is considered one of the most successful aquatic invasive species worldwide and it is characterized by a high environmental tolerance. The ingression of the Holsteinian Sea, during the Pleistocene, took place during the climate optimum from the North Sea into the 'Elbe Estuary' through the Hamburg region and far to the south‐east into Brandenburg. It has been possible to reconstruct the palaeo‐ecological conditions based in particular on molluscs. Accordingly, environmental conditions ranged from normal marine in the north, via brackish in the transitional area to limnic–fluviatile in the Berlin region. The morphological features of the bay barnacles and their ecological parameters are described here in detail. In addition, we provide a general review of the known Pleistocene Balanidae in northern central Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unusually severe hurricane (Louisbourg Storm) struck Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1757. Historic records describing storm conditions as well as damage to ships and coastal fortifications indicate an intensity beyond any modern (post-1851) Atlantic cyclones striking the same region, yet this storm struck during a cold climate period known as the Little Ice Age (LIA). Its track and timing coincided with a British naval blockade of a French fleet at Fortress Louisbourg during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763). This provides a unique opportunity to explore growing scientific evidence of heightened storminess in the North Atlantic despite a colder climate expected to suppress hurricane intensification but which research is increasingly showing to have supported North Atlantic storms of exceptional strength. Weather attributes extracted from the logs of naval vessels scattered by the Louisbourg Storm provided multiple hourly observations recorded at different locations. Wave height and wind force estimates at ship locations were compared to extreme storm surge heights calculated for Louisbourg Harbour and a shipwreck site south of Fortress Louisbourg. Comparing these metrics to those of modern analogues that crossed the same bathymetry reflects landfall intensity consistent with a powerful major hurricane. Historical records show this storm originated as a tropical cyclone at the height of hurricane season and intensified into the northern midlatitudes along the Gulf Stream. Its intensity at landfall is consistent with established seasonal climatological models where highly baroclinic westerlies driven by autumn continental cooling encounter intensifying north-tracking tropical cyclones fuelled by sea surface temperatures that peak in autumn. Stronger seasonal contrasts from earlier and colder continental westerlies in the Little Ice Age (LIA) may have triggered explosive extratropical transition from a large hurricane resulting in a more severe strike. It suggests that tropical cyclones lasting days to weeks and the conditions that generate them are likely masked by cooler historic mean annual to multi-decadal LIA climate reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracting balanced geostrophic motions (BM) from sea surface height (SSH) observations obtained by wide‐swath altimetry holds great significance in enhancing our understanding of oceanic dynamic processes at submesoscale wavelength. However, SSH observations derived from wide‐swath altimetry are characterized by high spatial resolution while relatively low temporal resolution, thereby posing challenges to extract the BM from a single SSH snapshot. To address this issue, this paper proposes a deep learning model called the BM‐UBM Network, which takes an instantaneous SSH snapshot as input and outputs the projection corresponding to the BM. Training experiments are conducted both in the Gulf Stream and South China Sea, and three metrics are considered to diagnose model's outputs. The favorable results highlight the potential capability of the BM‐UBM Network to process SSH measurements obtained by wide‐swath altimetry. Plain Language Summary: Oceanic dynamic processes can be classified into two categories: balanced geostrophic motions (BM), including large‐scale circulation, mesoscale and submesoscale eddy turbulence, and unbalanced wave motions (UBM), including barotropic tides, and inertia–gravity waves (IGWs). Both types of motions coexist and have respective contributions to the sea surface height (SSH). How to extract the BM from the total SSH observations obtained by satellite altimetry is the crucial problem to be solved in this paper. To tackle this issue, we propose a deep learning model named the BM‐UBM Network to establish the relationship between the total SSH and the BM component. The BM‐UBM Network can generate SSH estimations for the BM when provided with a well‐resolved SSH snapshot. Key Points: A Deep learning model is developed to extract balanced motions from sea surface height snapshot based on a realistic simulationDiagnostics of three metrics reveal the effectiveness of the model in extracting balanced motionsThe model exhibits remarkable advantages over the Gaussian filter (baseline) in capturing the gradient and Laplacian information [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Process modeling of Aerosol‐cloud interaction (ACI) is essential to bridging gaps between observational analysis and climate modeling of aerosol effects in the Earth system and eventually reducing climate projection uncertainties. In this study, we examine ACI in summertime precipitating shallow cumuli observed during the Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE). Aerosols and precipitating shallow cumuli were extensively observed with in‐situ and remote‐sensing instruments during two research flight cases on 02 June and 07 June, respectively, during the ACTIVATE summer 2021 deployment phase. We perform observational analysis and large‐eddy simulation (LES) of aerosol effect on precipitating cumulus in these two cases. Given the measured aerosol size distributions and meteorological conditions, LES is able to reproduce the observed cloud properties by aircraft such as liquid water content (LWC), cloud droplet number concentration (Nc) and effective radius reff. However, it produces smaller liquid water path (LWP) and larger Nc compared to the satellite retrievals. Both 02 and 07 June cases are over warm waters of the Gulf Stream and have a cloud top height over 3 km, but the 07 June case is more polluted and has larger LWC. We find that the Na‐induced LWP adjustment is dominated by precipitation feedback for the 2 June precipitating case and there is no clear entrainment feedback in both cases. An increase of cloud fraction due to a decrease of aerosol number concentration is also shown in the simulations for the 02 June case. Plain Language Summary: Aerosol‐cloud‐interaction (ACI) regulates the energy budget of the Earth and poses the largest uncertainty in climate projection. Particularly, ACI of low clouds is poorly understood and causes the spread of Earth System Models (ESMs) in predicting cloud and climate responses to aerosol changes. Process studies have shown a nonlinear cloud water amount and cloud fraction adjustments due to aerosol changes via precipitation and cloud top entrainment, which are not often captured correctly in ESMs. This study explores the physical mechanisms of ACI in marine low clouds with a focus on precipitating low clouds using a cloud process model and unprecedented field campaign measurements of meteorology states, cloud properties, and aerosols collected during the Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment. We show that the aerosol‐induced cloud water amount adjustment is dominated by changes in precipitation and there is no clear entrainment feedback in both cases. Our findings can help improve the representation of ACI within precipitating marine low clouds in ESMs. Key Points: Aerosol‐cloud interactions in precipitating shallow cumuli are investigated using large‐eddy simulations (LES) and observationsLES show that aerosol‐induced cumulus cloud water adjustment is dominated by precipitation with no clear entrainment feedbackAn increase in cloud fraction in response to aerosol number concentration decrease is shown in the precipitating cumuli [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic revision of the Tribe Aequipectini from the upper Burdigalian, Lower Miocene Pirabas Formation in Brazil) resulted in an identification of Leptopecten daideleus comb. nov., Perapecten tetristriatus and description of Iemanjavola monlafertei gen. et sp. nov. The genus Perapecten is re-validated, P. tetristriatus being the first fossil representative of the genus, extending it back to the Early Miocene of the western Atlantic Ocean and Middle Miocene-Pliocene Perapecten scabrellus from the Mediterranean Sea/Central Paratethys is included into Perapecten. We also reported the oldest record of Leptopecten, which along with Perapecten, seem to have originated in the Early Miocene tropical region of the western Atlantic Ocean. Leptopecten dispersed during the Middle or Late Miocene to the eastern Pacific through the Central American Seaway, while Perapecten spread across the North Atlantic into Europe via the Circumtropical Current and the Gulf Stream/North Atlantic Drift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies found that on long time scales there are often unexplained opposite trends in sea level variability between the upper and lower Chesapeake Bay (CB). Therefore, daily sea level and temperature records were analyzed in two locations, Norfolk in the southern CB and Baltimore in the northern CB; surface currents from Coastal Ocean Dynamics Application Radar (CODAR) near the mouth of CB were also analyzed to examine connections between the CB and the Atlantic Ocean. The observations in the bay were compared with daily Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) observations during 2005–2021. Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) analysis was used to show that variations of sea level and temperature in the upper and lower CB are positively correlated with each other for short time scales of months to few years, but anticorrelated on low frequency modes representing decadal variability and long-term nonlinear trends. The long-term CB modes seem to be linked with AMOC variability through variations in the Gulf Stream and the wind-driven Ekman transports over the North Atlantic Ocean. AMOC variability correlates more strongly with variability in the southern CB near the mouth of the bay, where surface currents indicate potential links with AMOC variability. For example, when AMOC and the Gulf Stream were especially weak during 2009–2010, sea level in the southern bay was abnormally high, temperatures were colder than normal and outflow through the mouth of CB was especially high. Sea level in the upper bay responded to this change only 1–2 years later, which partly explains phase differences within the bay. A persistent trend of 0.22 cm/s per year of increased outflow from the CB, may be a sign of a climate-related trend associated with combination of weakening AMOC and increased precipitation and river discharge into the CB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continental shelves contribute a large fraction of the ocean's new nitrogen (N) via N2 fixation; yet, we know little about how physical processes at the ocean's margins shape diazotroph biogeography and activity. Here, we test the hypothesis that frontal mixing favors N2 fixation at the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelfbreak. Using the 15N2 bubble release method, we measured N2 fixation rates on repeat cross-frontal transects in July 2019. N2 fixation rates in shelf waters (median = 5.42 nmol N L−1 d−1) were higher than offshore (2.48 nmol N L−1 d−1) but did not significantly differ front frontal waters (8.42 nmol N L−1 d−1). However, specific N2 uptake rates, indicative of the relative contribution of diazotroph-derived N to particulate N turnover, were significantly higher in frontal waters, suggesting that diazotroph-derived N is of greater importance in supporting productivity there. This study furthered captured an ephemeral shelf-water streamer, which resulted from the impingement of a warm core ring on the shelf. The streamer transported shelf-water diazotrophs (including UCYN-A and Richelia spp., as assessed by qPCR) offshore with sustained high N2 fixation rates. This feature injected >50 metric tons d−1 of newly fixed N to the Slope Sea—a rate equivalent to ∼4% of the total N flux estimated for the entire Mid-Atlantic Bight. As intrusions of Gulf Stream meanders and eddies onto the shelf are increasing in frequency due to climate change, episodic lateral fluxes of new N into the Slope Sea may become increasingly important to regional budgets and ecosystem productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kuroshio‐Oyashio Extension and Gulf Stream oceanic frontal zones are characterized by enhanced activity of synoptic‐scale cyclones and anticyclones and vigorous air‐sea heat and moisture exchange in the cold season. However, the time‐mean air‐sea exchange attributed separately to cyclones and anticyclones has not been assessed. Here we quantify cyclonic and anticyclonic contributions around the frontal zones to surface turbulent heat fluxes, precipitation, and the associated hydrological cycle using atmospheric general circulation model experiments with observed and artificially smoothed sea‐surface temperature gradients. The evaluation reveals that precipitation exceeds evaporation climatologically within cyclonic domains while evaporation dominates within anticyclonic domains. These features as well as the net moisture transport from anticyclonic to cyclonic domains are all enhanced by the sharpness of the frontal zones. Oceanic frontal zones thus climatologically act to strengthen the hydrological cycle. These findings aid our understanding of the relationship between midlatitude air‐sea interactions on synoptic‐ and longer‐time scales. Plain Language Summary: Two regions with pronounced sea surface temperature gradients over the North Pacific and North Atlantic are known as major oceanic frontal zones that are important for air‐sea interactions with vigorous heat and moisture release from the ocean to the atmosphere. Recent studies found that day‐to‐day variations, due to migratory low‐ and high‐pressure systems, are essential for the time‐mean air‐sea interaction over these frontal zones. However, the relative importance of those low‐ and high‐pressure systems has not been quantified. Using atmospheric general circulation model experiments with observed and artificially smoothed sea‐surface temperature gradients, we show that contributions of high‐pressure systems are important for the enhanced heat and moisture supply from the ocean in response to realistic oceanic frontal zones, while contributions of low‐pressure systems are crucial for the changes in rainfall. We further demonstrate that the moisture transport from high‐ to low‐pressure systems is strengthened climatologically with the sharpness of midlatitude oceanic frontal zones, indicative of a strengthening of the hydrological cycle. Our findings indicate that synoptic‐scale migratory low‐ and high‐pressure systems play an important role in midlatitude air‐sea interactions. These results bridge the gap between our understanding of midlatitude air‐sea interactions from day‐to‐day to climatic time scales. Key Points: Cyclonic and anticyclonic contributions to air‐sea heat and moisture exchange are quantified around midlatitude oceanic frontal zonesOceanic frontal zones enhance surface turbulent heat fluxes within anticyclones and precipitation within cyclones, respectivelySharpness of midlatitude oceanic frontal zones strengthens the net moisture transport from anticyclones to cyclones [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]