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Observed Oceanic and Atmospheric Interactions During Hurricane Earl (2010) From Satellite and In-Situ Data. L.K. Shay, B. Jaimes, P. Meyers, E. Uhlhorn and J. Brewster
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Observed Oceanic and Atmospheric Interactions During Hurricane Earl (2010) From Satellite and In-Situ Data L.K. Shay, B. Jaimes, P. Meyers, E. Uhlhorn and J. Brewster Goal: Using satellite, in situ data, build an improved ocean model to couple to HWRF and carefully assess the oceanic role in intensity changes (deepening and weakening).
The scientific hypothesis: combining SSTs from NASA’s TRMM microwave imager (TMI) with the surface SHA fields from multiple satellite platforms (e.g., NASA Jason-1,2) will provide insights of ocean-atmosphere interactions during rapid deepening and weakening events using measurements acquired from NASA/NOAA aircraft during in Earl’s life cycle. Here we estimate the air-sea fluxes and the net oceanic heat loss through the air-sea interface using satellite (SMARTS)/in situ data. Objective and Hypothesis In support of NASA ROSES-2008 program, this project is relevant to two key science questions of this program: (1) What environmental, oceanic, and inner core factors govern rapid intensification?; and (2) What is the predictability of rapid intensification and what observations are most critical to its prediction?
Motivation and Background SST 26°C • Minimum sea surface temperature threshold for hurricane formation: SST >26ºC (Palmen, 1948) • Leipper (1972) introduced Ocean Heat Content • Integrated thermal energy from surface to 26º isotherm • Empirical approach to estimate OHC from satellite altimetry (Shay and Brewster, 2010) • Ocean thermal structure is important feedback mechanism (Chang and Anthes, 1978) • Warm core eddies inhibit mixing and provide deep energy source for hurricanes (Shay et al., 2000; Jaimes and Shay, 2009) OHC MLD D26
Satellite Altimetry Availability Since 1998(14-year daily data set)
Over 50,000 Thermal Profiles From Multiple Platforms Used In Evaluation (Meyers et al., 2012)
Satellite-Estimated MLD Considerations and Error Sources • Improvement to OHC regression slope. More realistic variability. • Decreased accuracy after strong wind-forcing events (entrainment mixing either through stress or shear). • Most useful during hurricane season when there is more variability of MLD. • Trapezoidal technique -Thermostads • and standard profile shape. • SST errors account for 50% of OHC • differences (surface boundary • condition). • Climatology lacks sharp thermocline • due to oversmoothing.
Hurricane Earl (2010): SST (TMI: Courtesy of RSS) and OHC (Jason, Envisat Altimeters)
Hurricane Earl (2010): satellite and ARGO Float Measurements (Pre/Post) OML Depth~22 m SST Change~1.8C D26 Change~10 m
SST Cooling induced by Earl from TMI relative to Earl’s Track and Intensity. Altimeter-derived surface height depression (~20 cm) along Earl’s Track and Intensity consistent with theory (Shay et al., 1990; Shay and Chang, 1996). Constrains ocean model dynamics - interaction between barotropic and baroclinic modes.
Momentum and Enthalpy fluxes Emanuel (1995): ck/cd≥ 1 (50 m/s); Black et al. (2007): ck/cd ~ 0.7 Stress measurements from hot- film anemometer, particle velocimetry and laser line scan cameras at the surface (From Donelan et al. GRL (2004)).
Earl’s Track (and Intensity), SST (C: color), OHC (contours), and GPS Sondes
Momentum Flux Estimates From SSTs, GPS and SFMR Data During GRIP
Enthalpy Flux Estimates From SST, GPS and SFMR Data During GRIP
15-hr along-track integration of estimated enthalpy fluxes at stages C1 (Cat 1) , C2 (RI), and C4 (Cat 4). Cross-track integration from +/- 6Rmax of surface presure, pre-storm OHC, Post-Pre OHC and SST. Average OHC loss is ~20 kJ/cm2 per day.
Summary: Work In Progress • Extensive in-situ temperature profile data (~50,000 profiles) used to evaluate SMARTS regionally and seasonally in Atlantic Ocean basin. (14 year continuous data set 98-2011). From Earl’s Extensive GPS Sonde Coverage: • High OHC values (>100 kJ /cm2)-juxtaposed with high cross-gradient enthalpy fluxes of 1.2 to 1.4 kW/m2 during Earl’s RI cycles (including RW) based on SST, GPS sondes and SFMR data. • Assess impact of SST and OHC gradients on fluxes. • Conduct sensitivity testing with the ratio of Ck/Cd following Bryan (MWR, 2012) from these data sets. • Examine the impact of the oceanic response in this region including SST cooling (1.5-3C), Barotropic trough (~20 cm), OML deepening and OHC loss. • Include additional GRIP measurements balances in the ABL.