On the Observed Trends and Changes in Global Sea Surface Temperature and Air–Sea Heat Fluxes (1984–2006)

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (18) ◽  
pp. 6123-6135 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. G. Large ◽  
S. G. Yeager
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Coupling Coefficient ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Near Surface

Abstract Global satellite observations show the sea surface temperature (SST) increasing since the 1970s in all ocean basins, while the net air–sea heat flux Q decreases. Over the period 1984–2006 the global changes are 0.28°C in SST and −9.1 W m−2 in Q, giving an effective air–sea coupling coefficient of −32 W m−2 °C−1. The global response in Q expected from SST alone is determined to be −12.9 W m−2, and the global distribution of the associated coupling coefficient is shown. Typically, about one-half (6.8 W m−2) of this SST effect on heat flux is compensated by changes in the overlying near-surface atmosphere. Slab Ocean Models (SOMs) assume that ocean heating processes do not change from year to year so that a constant annual heat flux would maintain a linear trend in annual SST. However, the necessary 6.1 W m−2 increase is not found in the downwelling longwave and shortwave fluxes, which combined show a −3 W m−2 decrease. The SOM assumptions are revisited to determine the most likely source of the inconsistency with observations of (−12.9 + 6.8 − 3) = −9.1 W m−2. The indirect inference is that diminished ocean cooling due to vertical ocean processes played an important role in sustaining the observed positive trend in global SST from 1984 through 2006, despite the decrease in global surface heat flux. A similar situation is found in the individual basins, though magnitudes differ. A conclusion is that natural variability, rather than long-term climate change, dominates the SST and heat flux changes over this 23-yr period. On shorter time scales the relationship between SST and heat flux exhibits a variety of behaviors.

scholarly journals Estimating Air–Sea Heat Fluxes in Semienclosed Basins: The Case of the Gulf of Elat (Aqaba)

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Ben-Sasson ◽  
Steve Brenner ◽  
Nathan Paldor
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Heat Balance ◽  
Evaporation Rate ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Turbulent Heat ◽  
The Heat Balance

Abstract Meteorological and oceanographic data collected at the head of the Gulf of Elat were used to compute the air–sea heat flux components and the heat storage in the water column, which are in turn used to estimate the heat balance of this semienclosed basin. The solar radiation was measured directly, whereas the longwave (LW) cooling and the turbulent heat fluxes (latent, LH; sensible, SH) were computed from commonly used bulk formulas. Nine formulas for LW and four formulas for LH + SH were tested for a total of 36 possible combinations. Independent estimates for the bounds on the advective heat flux through the straits and results from a one-dimensional mixed layer model provided criteria to help identify the best choice of bulk formulas for the gulf. It was concluded that the LW formula of Bignami together with the turbulent flux formulas of Kondo provide the best estimate of the heat balance of the gulf. Based on this, the annual mean evaporation is 1.6–1.8 m yr−1, with a minimum of 1 m yr−1 in (the long) summer and a maximum of 3–4 m yr−1 in (the short) winter. The increase in evaporation rate during the winter results from the instability of the atmosphere at that time when the sea surface temperature exceeds the air temperature; in the summer, when the air temperature is much higher than the sea surface temperature, evaporation nearly stops due to the atmospheric stability. This estimated evaporation rate for the gulf, which is similar for all four of the LH formulas considered, is significantly smaller than values commonly quoted in the literature. Finally, in contrast to previous studies, it is found that the advective heat flux from the Straits of Tiran is large and significant in spring, reaching an estimated value of over 125 W m−2, but its annually averaged value is only about 35–40 W m−2.

scholarly journals Observed Multi-Timescale Differences between Summertime Near-Surface Equivalent Temperature and Temperature for China and Their Linkage with Global Sea Surface Temperatures

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 447
Author(s):  
Jingping Li ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
Xing Li ◽  
Lian Chen ◽  
Likun Jin
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Equivalent Temperature ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Temperature Variations

Based on the ensemble empirical mode decomposition method, this study explores the differences and similarities in multiple time-scale characteristics of summer air temperature (T) and equivalent temperature (Te) over China during 1961–2017, using daily meteorological observations collected at 412 stations in China. Their relationships to global sea surface temperature variations is also discussed. Results show that both T and Te can be decomposed into five components, which includes multiple timescales, from interannual to long-term trends. The spatial patterns of each timescale’s leading mode show that the variations of Te are generally larger than that of T. Meanwhile, both T and Te are dominated by their inter-annual, multi-decadal variations and the non-linear trend. High correlations of T and Te can also be found in these major scales. The related sea surface temperature variations in these major scales also show consistent patterns, which correspond to El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and the global warming trend in the sea, respectively. In other scales, both spatial patterns of T and Te and the corresponding correlation patterns with sea surface temperature are distinguishable. The current results explore the compound changes of surface temperature-humidity during the past five decades from a new perspective, which provides some insights for a better understanding of the possible causes of climate change over China.

scholarly journals Uncertainties in Ocean Latent Heat Flux Variations over Recent Decades in Satellite-Based Estimates and Reduced Observation Reanalyses

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (19) ◽  
pp. 8415-8437
Author(s):  
Franklin R. Robertson ◽  
Jason B. Roberts ◽  
Michael G. Bosilovich ◽  
Abderrahim Bentamy ◽  
Carol Anne Clayson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Optimal Interpolation ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Microwave Imager

AbstractFour state-of-the-art satellite-based estimates of ocean surface latent heat fluxes (LHFs) extending over three decades are analyzed, focusing on the interannual variability and trends of near-global averages and regional patterns. Detailed intercomparisons are made with other datasets including 1) reduced observation reanalyses (RedObs) whose exclusion of satellite data renders them an important independent diagnostic tool; 2) a moisture budget residual LHF estimate using reanalysis moisture transport, atmospheric storage, and satellite precipitation; 3) the ECMWF Reanalysis 5 (ERA5); 4) Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) single-sensor passive microwave and scatterometer wind speed retrievals; and 5) several sea surface temperature (SST) datasets. Large disparities remain in near-global satellite LHF trends and their regional expression over the 1990–2010 period, during which time the interdecadal Pacific oscillation changed sign. The budget residual diagnostics support the smaller RedObs LHF trends. The satellites, ERA5, and RedObs are reasonably consistent in identifying contributions by the 10-m wind speed variations to the LHF trend patterns. However, contributions by the near-surface vertical humidity gradient from satellites and ERA5 trend upward in time with respect to the RedObs ensemble and show less agreement in trend patterns. Problems with wind speed retrievals from Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder satellite sensors, excessive upward trends in trends in Optimal Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (OISST AVHRR-Only) data used in most satellite LHF estimates, and uncertainties associated with poor satellite coverage before the mid-1990s are noted. Possibly erroneous trends are also identified in ERA5 LHF associated with the onset of scatterometer wind data assimilation in the early 1990s.

Modeling the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Wind Response to Mesoscale Sea Surface Temperature Perturbations

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (11) ◽  
pp. 4284-4307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Perlin ◽  
Simon P. de Szoeke ◽  
Dudley B. Chelton ◽  
Roger M. Samelson ◽  
Eric D. Skyllingstad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Coupling Coefficient ◽  
Eddy Viscosity ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Coupling Coefficients ◽  
Wind Response ◽  
Speed Response

Abstract The wind speed response to mesoscale SST variability is investigated over the Agulhas Return Current region of the Southern Ocean using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and the U.S. Navy Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) atmospheric model. The SST-induced wind response is assessed from eight simulations with different subgrid-scale vertical mixing parameterizations, validated using Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) winds and satellite-based sea surface temperature (SST) observations on 0.25° grids. The satellite data produce a coupling coefficient of sU = 0.42 m s−1 °C−1 for wind to mesoscale SST perturbations. The eight model configurations produce coupling coefficients varying from 0.31 to 0.56 m s−1 °C−1. Most closely matching QuikSCAT are a WRF simulation with the Grenier–Bretherton–McCaa (GBM) boundary layer mixing scheme (sU = 0.40 m s−1 °C−1), and a COAMPS simulation with a form of Mellor–Yamada parameterization (sU = 0.38 m s−1 °C−1). Model rankings based on coupling coefficients for wind stress, or for curl and divergence of vector winds and wind stress, are similar to that based on sU. In all simulations, the atmospheric potential temperature response to local SST variations decreases gradually with height throughout the boundary layer (0–1.5 km). In contrast, the wind speed response to local SST perturbations decreases rapidly with height to near zero at 150–300 m. The simulated wind speed coupling coefficient is found to correlate well with the height-averaged turbulent eddy viscosity coefficient. The details of the vertical structure of the eddy viscosity depend on both the absolute magnitude of local SST perturbations, and the orientation of the surface wind to the SST gradient.

scholarly journals Relative Role of Turbulent and Radiative Flux on the Near-Surface Temperature in a Single-Layer Urban Canopy Model over Houston

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 2173-2187 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Brownlee ◽  
Pallav Ray ◽  
Mukul Tewari ◽  
Haochen Tan
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Urban Canopy ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Radiative Flux ◽  
Hydrological Processes ◽  
Urban Canopy Model ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Canopy Model

AbstractNumerical simulations without hydrological processes tend to overestimate the near-surface temperatures over urban areas. This is presumably due to underestimation of surface latent heat flux. To test this hypothesis, the existing single-layer urban canopy model (SLUCM) within the Weather Research and Forecasting Model is evaluated over Houston, Texas. Three simulations were conducted during 24–26 August 2000. The simulations include the use of the default “BULK” urban scheme, the SLUCM without hydrological processes, and the SLUCM with hydrological processes. The results show that the BULK scheme was least accurate, and it overestimated the near-surface temperatures and winds over the urban regions. In the presence of urban hydrological processes, the SLUCM underestimates these parameters. An analysis of the surface heat fluxes suggests that the error in the BULK scheme is due to a lack of moisture at the urban surface, whereas the error in the SLUCM with hydrological processes is due to increases in moisture at the urban surface. These results confirm earlier studies in which changes in near-surface temperature were primarily due to the changes in the turbulent (latent and sensible heat) fluxes in the presence of hydrological processes. The contribution from radiative flux was about one-third of that from turbulent flux. In the absence of hydrological processes, however, the results indicate that the changes in radiative flux contribute more to the near-surface temperature changes than the turbulent heat flux. The implications of these results are discussed.

scholarly journals A numerical study of the windstorm Klaus: sensitivity to sea surface temperature

2014 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazario Tartaglione ◽  
Rodrigo Caballero
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Moisture Convergence ◽  
Convective Precipitation ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Weather Forecasts

<p>This article investigates the role of sea surface temperature (SST) as well as the effects of evaporation and moisture convergence on the evolution of cyclone Klaus, which occurred on January 23 and 24, 2009. To elucidate the role of sea surface temperature (SST) and air–sea fluxes in the dynamics of the cyclone, ten hydrostatic mesoscale simulations were performed by Bologna Limited Area Model (BOLAM). The first one was a control experiment with European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) SST analysis. The nine following simulations are sensitivity experiments where the SST are obtained by adding a constant value by 1 to 9 K to the ECMWF field. Results show that a warmer sea increases the surface latent heat fluxes and the moisture convergence, favoring the development of convection in the storm. Convection is affected immediately by the increased SST. Later on, drop of mean sea level pressure (MSLP) occurs together with increasing of surface winds. The cyclone trajectory is not sensitive to change in SST differently from MSLP and convective precipitation.</p>

scholarly journals Trends in sea surface temperature of the Sea of Okhotsk and adjacent water areas by satellite data in 1998–2017

2019 ◽  
pp. 55-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Lozhkin ◽  
G. V. Shevchenko
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Of Okhotsk ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Heat Content ◽  
Water Area ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
The Sea Of Okhotsk ◽  
Adjacent Water ◽  
Winter Convection

For the Sea of Okhotsk and the adjacent water areas, a series of mean monthly sea surface temperature values were computed from satellite measurements of 20 years (1998–2017). In each space cell, the coefficients of the linear trend are determined by the method of least squares. Such coefficients were calculated for each month separately, for the whole series as a whole, and also for average values of the temperature for the season. The relationship of these coefficients to the observed decrease in ice extent in the water area of the Sea of Okhotsk during the last twenty years has been analyzed. It is shown that the heat content of the surface layer in this basin decreases, most significantly in its northern and western parts. This trend is especially pronounced in the spring, which may be due to a decrease in ice cover and a more significant cooling of the waters due to winter convection.

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