Research

We study the geophysical fluid dynamics (GFD) of the ocean and atmosphere, using theory, state-of-the-art high-resolution numerical models, and observations. A particular focus of our work is the ocean submesoscale (horizontal scales of 0.1-10 kms), a range of scales which are particularly challenging for traditional observational and computational methods. Understanding the dynamics of the ocean submesoscale is currently one of the most outstanding challenges in ocean physics, with fundamental connections to large-scale ocean circulation, ocean primary productivity, and air-sea interaction.

Click the below topics for more info, or see publications.

Bottom boundary layer

Submesoscale processes in the ocean bottom boundary layer

Multi-scale dynamics

From turbulence to the submesoscale to the gyre scale

Air-sea interaction

Coupled interaction between the atmosphere and ocean

Teaching

Physical Oceanography (AOSC420/670)
Fall 2020, 2021, 2022: Course Flyer, Syllabus


Oceanography of the Chesapeake and Mid-Atlantic (AOSC421)
Spring 2022, 2023: Syllabus


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Publications

Group members in bold.

Submitted

  1. Uchoa, I., J.O. Wenegrat, and L. Renault: Sink of eddy energy by submesoscale sea surface temperature variability in a coupled regional model. J. Phys. Oceanogr., preprint
  2. Whitley, V., and J.O. Wenegrat: Breaking internal waves on sloping topography: connecting parcel displacements to overturn size, interior-boundary exchanges, and mixing. J. Phys. Oceanogr., preprint
  3. Farrar, T. and 37 coauthors (alphabetical): S-MODE: the Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment. BAMS
  4. Wegener, R., J.O. Wenegrat, V. Lance, and S. Lama: Spatial variability of marine heatwaves in the Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries and Coasts
  5. Chor, T., and J.O. Wenegrat: The turbulent dynamics of anticyclonic submesoscale headland wakes. J. Phys. Oceanogr. preprint

Published

  1. Nuijens, L, J.O. Wenegrat, P. Lopez Dekker, C. Pasquero, L.W. O'Neill, and 45 coauthors (alphabetical), 2024: The air-sea interaction (ASI) submesoscale: Physics and impact Lorentz Center Workshop Whitepaper, doi:10.5065/78ac-qd31 online pdf
  2. Renault, L., M. Contreras, P. Marchesiello, C. Conejero, I. Uchoa, and J.O. Wenegrat: Unraveling the impacts of submesoscale thermal and current feedbacks on the low level winds and oceanic submesoscale currents. J. Phys. Oceanogr. in press.
  3. Dong, J., B. Fox-Kemper, J.O. Wenegrat, A. Bodner, X. Yu, S. Belcher, and C. Dong, 2024: Submesoscales are a significant turbulence source in global ocean surface boundary layer. Nature Comms. 15, 9566. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-53959-y online pdf
  4. Farrar, T., and Co-Authors, 2024: Ocean surface current measurements in the Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment. IGARSS 2024 - 2024 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 2020. 3533-3536. doi: 10.1109/IGARSS53475.2024.10642950 online pdf
  5. Wenegrat, J.O., 2023: The current feedback on stress modifies the Ekman buoyancy flux at fronts. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 53, 12, 2737-3749. doi:10.1175/JPO-D-23-0005.1 online pdf
  6. Chor, T., J.O. Wenegrat, and J.R. Taylor, 2022: Insights into the mixing efficiency of submesoscale Centrifugal-Symmetric instabilities. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 52, 10, 2273-2287. doi:10.1175/JPO- D-21-0259.1 online pdf
  7. Wenegrat, J.O. , E. Bonanno, U. Rack, and G. Gebbie, 2022: A century of observed temperature change in the Indian Ocean. Geophys. Res. Lett., 49, e2022GL098217, doi:10.1029/2022GL098217. online pdf
  8. Ruan, X., J.O. Wenegrat, and J. Gula, 2021: Slippery bottom boundary layers: the loss of energy from the general circulation by bottom drag. Geophys. Res. Lett. 48, 19. doi: 10.1029/2021GL094434 online pdf
  9. Elipot, S., and J.O. Wenegrat, 2021: Vertical structure of near-surface currents: Importance, state of knowledge, and measurement challenges. CLIVAR Variations, 19. doi:10.5065/ybca-0s03 online pdf
  10. Wenegrat, J.O., L.N. Thomas, M. Sundermeyer, J.R. Taylor, E.A. D'Asaro, J. Klymak, R.K. Shearman, and C.M. Lee, 2020: Enhanced mixing across the gyre boundary at the Gulf Stream front. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 117, 30, 17607-17614. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2005558117 online pdf SI
  11. Farrar, T., and Co-Authors, 2020: S-MODE: The Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment. IGARSS 2020 - 2020 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 2020. 3533-3536. doi: 10.1109/IGARSS39084.2020.9323112 online pdf
  12. Wenegrat, J.O., and L.N. Thomas, 2020: Centrifugal and symmetric instability during Ekman adjustment of the bottom boundary layer. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 50, 6, 1793-1812. doi: 10.1175/JPO-D-20-0027.1 online pdf
  13. Johnson, L., C.M. Lee, E.A. D'Asaro, J.O. Wenegrat, and L.N. Thomas, 2020: Restratification at a California current upwelling front, part II: Dynamics. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 50, 5, 1473-1487. doi: 10.1175/JPO-D-19-0204.1 online pdf
  14. Wenegrat, J.O., and R.S. Arthur, 2018: Response of the atmospheric boundary layer to submesoscale sea-surface temperature fronts. Geophys. Res. Lett. 45, 24, 13505-13512. doi: 10.1029/2018GL081034 online pdf
  15. Wenegrat, J.O., J. Callies, and L.N. Thomas, 2018: Submesoscale baroclinic instability in the bottom boundary layer. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 48, 11, 2571-2592. doi: 10.1175/JPO-D-17-0264.1 online pdf
  16. Wenegrat, J.O., L.N. Thomas, J. Gula, and J.C. McWilliams, 2018: Effects of the submesoscale on the potential vorticity budget of ocean mode waters. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 48, 9, 2141-2165. doi: 10.1175/JPO-D-17-0219.1 online pdf
  17. Wenegrat, J.O., and L.N. Thomas, 2017: Ekman transport in balanced currents with curvature. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 47, 5, 1189-1203. doi: 10.1175/JPO-D-16-0239.1 online pdf
  18. Wenegrat, J.O., and M.J. McPhaden, 2016: A simple analytical model of the diurnal Ekman layer. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 46, 9, 2877-2894. doi: 10.1175/JPO-D-16-0031.1 online pdf
  19. Wenegrat, J.O., and M.J. McPhaden, 2016: Wind, waves, and fronts: Frictional effects in a generalized Ekman model. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 46, 2, 371-394. doi: 10.1175/JPO-D-15-0162.1 online pdf
  20. Wenegrat, J.O., and M.J. McPhaden, 2015: Dynamics of the surface layer diurnal cycle in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean (0°, 23°W), J. Geophys. Res. Oceans, 120, 563-581, doi: 10.1002/2014JC010504 online pdf
  21. Wenegrat, J.O., M.J. McPhaden, and R.-C. Lien, 2014: Wind stress and near-surface shear in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Geophys. Res. Lett., 41, 1226-1231, doi: 10.1002/2013GL059149 online pdf
SUOMI/VIIRS courtesy of NASA

People

Click the photos for more info.

Jacob Wenegrat

Assistant Professor
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

Tomás Chor

Postdoctoral Researcher
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

Zhihua Zheng

Postdoctoral Researcher
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

Zihan Chen

Graduate Student
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

Logan Knudsen

Graduate Student
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

Katharina Gallmeier

Graduate Student
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

Igor Uchoa

Graduate Student
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

Victoria Whitley

Graduate Student in Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computing

Group Alumni

Rachel Wegener - MS AOSC (2021-2023)
Now: NASA Student Airborne Research Program

Megan Brown - Undergraduate researcher AOSC (2023-2024)
Now: AmeriCorps Forest Corps

Madison Magaha - Undergraduate researcher AOSC (2023)

Jennifer Salerno - Undergraduate researcher AOSC (2023)
NOAA Lapenta Internship

Skylar Lama - Undergraduate researcher AOSC (2021-2022)
2022 recipient of the Bernice and Susan Tannenbaum Prize in Climate Science
Now: PhD Student at Georgia Tech

George Campe - Undergraduate researcher AOSC (2021-2022)
Now: Analyst at Arete

Daniel Levy - Undergraduate researcher Math & Physics (2021)
2021 UMD nominee for the Goldwater Scholarship

Emma Bonanno - Undergraduate researcher AOSC (2020-2021)
2021 recipient of the Bernice and Susan Tannenbaum Prize in Climate Science
Now: Consultant for Accenture Goverment Services

I am always happy to chat with UMD undergraduate researchers, PhD students, and postdocs about opportunities to join our group at the University of Maryland, College Park. It helps to have a strong background in topics like math, physics, and scientific programming, but no experience in oceanography or ocean dynamics is necessary. If you would like to learn more I recommend starting by reading some of our recent publications, and taking a look at our group 'expectations' document which will hopefully give you a sense of my advising style and what it is like to work in our group. I also welcome you to get in touch to discuss possible research topics, funding opportunities, and how to apply.

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Contact


Jacob Wenegrat


Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science
University of Maryland, College Park
4254 Stadium Dr.
College Park, MD 20740


Email: wenegrat@umd.edu