Response of Ocean Mesoscale Coherent Eddies to Global Warming

Abstract Mesoscale vertically coherent ocean eddies—defined here as eddies maintaining rotational coherence across depth—play a fundamental role in Earth's climate system by redistributing heat, salt, and other tracers. Yet it remains unclear how these eddies will respond to global warming. Here, we address this question using an eddy‐resolving (0.1°) Community Earth System Model under a high‐emission scenario. Between 60S and 60N, the eddy radius becomes larger in line with the increased baroclinic Rossby deformation radius caused by intensified stratification. The eddies exhibit larger density and salinity anomalies as a result of increased eddy radius and enhanced horizontal background density and salinity gradients. Both eddy kinetic and potential energy are reduced in the ocean interior due to a weakened baroclinic energy conversion pathway under intensified stratification. These findings highlight the significant anthropogenic impacts on mesoscale coherent eddies, with potential implications on their‐induced heat and material transports in a warming climate.