Abstract
Seasonal variability of the subpolar front (SPF) and associated East Korea Warm Current (EKWC) and Tsushima Warm Current (TWC) is examined with the double nested JCOPE2-ROMS downscaling oceanic circulation model. The submesoscale (SMS) eddy-resolving model successfully reproduces the EKE trapping in the surface layer due to emergence of energetic SMS eddies mainly attributed to symmetric instability induced by surface cooling during winter and spring. The SMS eddy-driven horizontal stirring leads to weakening of the SPF, EKWC and TWC significantly. In turn, the decreased SMS mixing along with the increased influx from the Tsuhima Straight stabilize the EKWC and TWC to sharpen the SPF.
