Linear theory of the response of a two layer ocean to a moving hurricane‡

Abstract This paper describes the linear response of an inviscid two‐layer model of a deep ocean on an f‐plane to a hurricane translating across the surface at constant speed. The forcing is a localized, radially‐symmetric pattern of positive wind stress curl and negative pressure anomaly. Only the steady state response is considered. The principal result is the identification of an internal wake in the lee of the storm, present when the translation speed of the storm exceeds the baroclinic long wave speed. The amplitude of the wake depends on the length of time over which the stress is experienced at a given point. The angle of the wedge filled by the wake is small, an effect due to the fact that the scale of a hurricane is typically larger than the baroclinic radius of deformation. After the wake disperses, a geostrophically balanced baroclinic ridge remains along the storm track.