Description: Highlights: • We focus on ACC and Southern Ocean MOC during 1958–2007 in 17 CORE-II forced models. • Most CORE-II simulations are close to eddy saturation. • Most CORE-II simulations are far from showing signs of eddy compensation. • Constant in time or space k results in poor representation of mesoscale eddy effects. • MOC has larger sensitivity than ACC transport even in eddy saturated state. Abstract: In the framework of the second phase of the Coordinated Ocean-ice Reference Experiments (CORE-II), we present an analysis of the representation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and Southern Ocean meridional overturning circulation (MOC) in a suite of seventeen global ocean–sea ice models. We focus on the mean, variability and trends of both the ACC and MOC over the 1958–2007 period, and discuss their relationship with the surface forcing. We aim to quantify the degree of eddy saturation and eddy compensation in the models participating in CORE-II, and compare our results with available observations, previous fine-resolution numerical studies and theoretical constraints. Most models show weak ACC transport sensitivity to changes in forcing during the past five decades, and they can be considered to be in an eddy saturated regime. Larger contrasts arise when considering MOC trends, with a majority of models exhibiting significant strengthening of the MOC during the late 20th and early 21st century. Only a few models show a relatively small sensitivity to forcing changes, responding with an intensified eddy-induced circulation that provides some degree of eddy compensation, while still showing considerable decadal trends. Both ACC and MOC interannual variabilities are largely controlled by the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). Based on these results, models are clustered into two groups. Models with constant or two-dimensional (horizontal) specification of the eddy-induced advection coefficient κ show larger ocean interior decadal trends, larger ACC transport decadal trends and no eddy compensation in the MOC. Eddy-permitting models or models with a three-dimensional time varying κ show smaller changes in isopycnal slopes and associated ACC trends, and partial eddy compensation. As previously argued, a constant in time or space κ is responsible for a poor representation of mesoscale eddy effects and cannot properly simulate the sensitivity of the ACC and MOC to changing surface forcing. Evidence is given for a larger sensitivity of the MOC as compared to the ACC transport, even when approaching eddy saturation. Future process studies designed for disentangling the role of momentum and buoyancy forcing in driving the ACC and MOC are proposed.

Description: We characterise the representation of the Southern Ocean water mass structure and sea ice within a suite of 15 global ocean-ice models run with the Coordinated Ocean-ice Reference Experiment Phase II (CORE-II) protocol. The main focus is the representation of the present (1988-2007) mode and intermediate waters, thus framing an analysis of winter and summer mixed layer depths; temperature, salinity, and potential vorticity structure; and temporal variability of sea ice distributions. We also consider the interannual variability over the same 20 year period. Comparisons are made between models as well as to observation-based analyses where available. The CORE-II models exhibit several biases relative to Southern Ocean observations, including an underestimation of the model mean mixed layer depths of mode and intermediate water masses in March (associated with greater ocean surface heat gain), and an overestimation in September (associated with greater high latitude ocean heat loss and a more northward winter sea-ice extent). In addition, the models have cold and fresh/warm and salty water column biases centred near 50 degrees S. Over the 1933-2007 period, the CORE-II models consistently simulate spatially variable trends in sea-ice concentration, surface freshwater fluxes, mixed layer depths, and 200-700 in ocean heat content. In particular, sea-ice coverage around most of the Antarctic continental shelf is reduced, leading to a cooling and freshening of the near surface waters. The shoaling of the mixed layer is associated with increased surface buoyancy gain, except in the Pacific where sea ice is also influential. The models are in disagreement, despite the common CORE-II atmospheric state, in their spatial pattern of the 20-year trends in the mixed layer depth and sea-ice

Description: The response of eddy kinetic energy (EKE) to the strengthening of Southern Hemisphere winds occurring since the 1950s is investigated with a global ocean model having a resolution of 1/12° in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current domain. The simulations expose regional differences in the relative importance of stochastic and wind-related contributions to inter-annual EKE changes. In the Pacific and Indian sectors the model captures the EKE variability observed since 1993 and confirms previous hypotheses of a lagged response to regional wind stress anomalies. Here, the multi-decadal trend in wind stress is reflected in an increase in EKE typically exceeding 5 cm2 sec-2 decade-1. In the western Atlantic EKE variability is mostly stochastic, is weakly correlated with wind fluctuations, and its multi-decadal trends are close to zero. The non-uniform distribution of wind-related changes in the eddy activity could affect the regional patterns of ocean circulation and biogeochemical responses to future climate change.

Description: Highlights: • Mean circulation patterns are assessed and Kuroshio transport is underestimated. • Water mass distribution is compared and analyzed within COREII models. • Main biases of deep MLDs result from the inaccurate Kuroshio separation. • Reasonable modeled tropical dynamics but a discrepancy from the surface wind. Abstract: We evaluate the mean circulation patterns, water mass distributions, and tropical dynamics of the North and Equatorial Pacific Ocean based on a suite of global ocean-sea ice simulations driven by the CORE-II atmospheric forcing from 1963-2007. The first three moments (mean, standard deviation and skewness) of sea surface height and surface temperature variability are assessed against observations. Large discrepancies are found in the variance and skewness of sea surface height and in the skewness of sea surface temperature. Comparing with the observation, most models underestimate the Kuroshio transport in the Asian Marginal seas due to the missing influence of the unresolved western boundary current and meso-scale eddies. In terms of the Mixed Layer Depths (MLDs) in the North Pacific, the two observed maxima associated with Subtropical Mode Water and Central Mode Water formation coalesce into a large pool of deep MLDs in all participating models, but another local maximum associated with the formation of Eastern Subtropical Mode Water can be found in all models with different magnitudes. The main model bias of deep MLDs results from excessive Subtropical Mode Water formation due to inaccurate representation of the Kuroshio separation and of the associated excessively warm and salty Kuroshio water. Further water mass analysis shows that the North Pacific Intermediate Water can penetrate southward in most models, but its distribution greatly varies among models depending not only on grid resolution and vertical coordinate but also on the model dynamics. All simulations show overall similar large scale tropical current system, but with differences in the structures of the Equatorial Undercurrent. We also confirm the key role of the meridional gradient of the wind stress curl in driving the equatorial transport, leading to a generally weak North Equatorial Counter Current in all models due to inaccurate CORE-II equatorial wind fields. Most models show a larger interior transport of Pacific subtropical cells than the observation due to the overestimated transport in the Northern Hemisphere likely resulting from the deep pycnocline

Description: The spatial and temporal variability of Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) formation rates during 1948-2007 is investigated in a set of high-resolution experiments performed with the NEMO-LIM ocean sea-ice model. Two sets of experiments are analyzed: one having a global 1/4° horizontal resolution (ORCA025) and another having a resolution of 1/12° in the Southern Ocean, achieved using a two-way nesting technique. The hindcast experiments are forced with the CORE-II atmospheric reanalysis from 1948-2007, with companion climatological experiments used to correct for model spurious trends. The spatial distribution of AAIW formation rates is explored via available AAIW volume and via kinematic subduction rates. Maximum AAIW formation rates are found in the regions where the mixed layer depth (MLD) is deepest in winter, i.e. in the southeast Pacific and along the Antarctic Circumpolar Current fronts, whereas kinematic subduction rates are highest in regions dominated by lateral induction. A circumpolar multi-decadal decline of AAIW formation rates and kinematic subduction rates is found, with largest decline in the southeast Pacific. Here, a strong negative MLD trend is accompanied by freshening of the mixed layer, possibly linked to a multi-decadal increase in dominance of the freshwater versus the thermal buoyancy forcing as a response to large scale warming.

Description: We investigate the regional responses of eddy kinetic energy (EKE) to the atmospheric forcing trends between 1948 and 2007 with a global configuration of the NEMO-LIM2 ocean-sea ice model, where a two-way nesting technique is used to enhance the horizontal resolution to 1/12° between 30°S and 68°S. A companion experiment forced by a repeated annual cycle is used to remove model spurious drifts from the hindcast experiment, and to identify the variance of EKE of a stochastic nature. The model results show that the wind strengthening occurred in the past decades led to a multi-decadal increase in EKE of about 5 cm2 sec-2 decade-1 averaged over the whole Southern Ocean. The changes in EKE are however not spatially uniform, and two response regimes are identified. In the Pacific and Indian sectors, the model reproduces the temporal evolution of the satellite-observed EKE and shows a predictable response of EKE to wind changes. In the Atlantic sector, where the stochastic-to-total ratio of EKE variance is nearly 100%, EKE does not match satellite observations, and wind forcing has a weak influence on EKE variability and its multi-decadal trends. The model thus helps to identify those regions with an optimal signal-to-noise ratio needed to detect possible future changes in eddy activity.

Description: Long‐term observations from a 17 year long mooring array at the exit of the Labrador Sea at 53°N are compared to the output of a high‐resolution model (VIKING20). Both are analyzed to define robust integral properties on basin and regional scale, which can be determined and evaluated equally well. While both, the observations and the model, show a narrow DWBC cyclonically engulfing the Labrador Sea, the model's boundary current system is more barotropic than in the observations and spectral analysis indicates stronger monthly to interannual transport variability. Compared to the model, the observations show a stronger density gradient, hence a stronger baroclinicity, from center to boundary. Despite this, the observed temporal evolution of the temperature in the central Labrador Sea is reproduced. The model results yield a mean export of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) (33.0 +/‐ 5.7 Sv), which is comparable to the observed transport (31.2 +/‐ 5.5 Sv) at 53°N. The results also include a comparable spatial pattern and March mixed layer depth in the central Labrador Sea (maximum depth ∼ 2000 m). During periods containing enhanced deep convection (1990's) our analyses show increased correlation between LSW and LNADW model transport at 53°N. Our results indicate that the transport variability in LSW and LNADW at 53°N is a result of a complex modulation of wind stress and buoyancy forcing on regional and basin wide scale.