Lorenz energy cycle of the global atmosphere based on reanalysis datasets

Abstract

The mean state of the global atmospheric energy cycle is re‐examined using the two reanalysis datasets — NCEP2 and ERA40 (1979–2001). The general consistency between the two datasets suggests that the present estimates of the energy cycle are probably the most reliable ones. The comparison between the present and a previous study shows noticeable discrepancies in some of the energy components and conversion rates. The current estimate of the transformations from mean potential energy to mean kinetic energy C ( P M , K M ) further suggests that the near‐surface processes play an important role in the conversion rate C ( P M , K M ), along with the Ferrel cell and Hadley cells, which probably change the direction of the conversion rate C ( P M , K M ).