ESS220
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Polarward Energy Transport
Annual-Mean Radiative Energy
Polarward Heat Flux
Polarward heat flux is needed to
transport radiative energy from
the tropics to higher latitudes
The atmosphere dominates the
polarward heat transport at
middle and high latitudes. The
ocean dominates the transport at
lower latitudes.
(1 petaWatts = 10
15
W)
(figures from
Global Physical Climatology
)