A comparison of modeled and observed ocean mixed layer behavior in a sea breeze influenced coastal region
Loading...
Authors
Cross, Patrick S.
Subjects
Monterey
Mixed layer
Air.sea
Surface flux
Diurnal
Sea breeze
Heat flux
Wind stress
Coastal
California
Modeling
Mixed layer
Air.sea
Surface flux
Diurnal
Sea breeze
Heat flux
Wind stress
Coastal
California
Modeling
Advisors
Wash, Carlyle H.
Rosenfeld, Leslie R.
Date of Issue
1993-12
Date
December 1993
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
A high temporal resolution data set from a mooring in Monterey Bay, California was analyzed and used to calculate heat and momentum fluxes for the purpose of forcing two ocean mixed layer models. The time frame for the study was September, 1992, a period representative of the sea breeze circulation frequently affecting this and other coastal regions. The models used were that of Price, Weller and Pinkel (1986), a Richardson number based mixing model, and Garwood (1977), a model based on the turbulent kinetic energy budget within the mixed layer. Both models were analyzed with respect to their ability to reproduce the observed diurnal variation of the temperature and depth of the mixed layer. Although the model predictions agree reasonably well with observations in regards to the phase of the diurnal temperature cycle, they were seen to underpredict its magnitude, particularly the nocturnal cooling. This lack of cooling in the models relative to the ocean could be due to penetrative convection, non-steady state turbulence, and/or diurnal advection present in the ocean but not in one or both models. Additionally, the models exhibited an upward temperature trend relative to the data which caused progressively increasing stratification. This trend was used to approximate the magnitude of vertical advective effects.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology
Oceanography
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
113 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.