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Upper Ocean Response and Feedback to 2002 Hurricanes Isidore and Lili in Tandem. Wei Zhao Shuyi S. Chen and Joseph Tenerelli Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science University of Miami. Hurricanes Isidore and Lili (2002) in tandem. Objectives.
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Upper Ocean Response and Feedback to 2002 Hurricanes Isidore and Lili in Tandem Wei Zhao Shuyi S. Chen and Joseph Tenerelli Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science University of Miami
Objectives • To examine the upper ocean circulation in response to Hurricanes Isidore and Lili in tandem. • To assess potential feedback to the atmosphere by the complex oceanic features in the Gulf of Mexico.
Ocean Circulation in Gulf of Mexico William J. Schmitz Jr. (2003) maximum Propagation path mean minimum
Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) • one-way nested Western Atlantic-Gulf of Mexico-Caribbean Sea regional domain (with data assimilation of SSH and SST prior to hurricane simulations) • 0.08 degree grid spacing • 22 Vertical layer, 4-6 layers in mixed layer with the 1st layer at 3 meter • MM5 atmospheric forcing, 18 August – 17 October 2002 (Hurricanes Isidore and Lili)
Hurricane Isidore Hurricane Lili
Pre-Isidore SSHA (satellite) SST/SSC (HYCOM)
SST pre- and post-Isidore Satellite HYCOM
SST Cooling post-Isidore Satellite HYCOM
SST pre- and post-Lili Satellite HYCOM
SST Cooling post-Lili Satellite HYCOM
Shay and Cook Heat Content pre- and post-Isidore Satellite HYCOM
Shay and Cook Heat Content before and after Lili Satellite HYCOM
A B
A: Gulf Common Water B: Loop Current Isidore Lili Isidore Lili
Conclusions • Upper ocean was cooled significantly by the passage of Isidore and, therefore, the heat content loss was much larger during Isidore than Lili. • Loop Current and warm core rings (WCR) continue to provide large amount heat during Lili while the Gulf common water heat content loss was close to zero. • Although satellite observed SST shows a recovery in a few days after each hurricanes, full recovery of upper ocean takes 1-2 weeks, which is largely affected by local circulation. • HYCOM is capable of producing observed fine upper ocean features and responses to hurricanes.