An Analysis of Modelled Shear Distributions during the MILE Experiment.
Abstract
The shear in the mixed layer was forecasted and studied for the duration of the MILE experiment. The forecasting was done with the Warn-Varnas and Piacsek (1979) model. The forecasts were initiated from data and driven by the experimentally-measured wind stress, radiation, and latent and sensible heat flux. The duration of forecasts spanned a time frame of several days to a month. The problem of understanding the shear in the mixed-layer region during MILE was approached from two points of view. First, the basic dynamic processes that generate shear were considered. Second, statistical distributions of shear as a function of depth and time were computed. The basic dynamics can be understood by decomposing the velocity into an Ekman-type component and an inertial component. The vertical structure of this velocity can be visualized as a superposition of an inertial oscillation onto an Ekman spiral; the inertial oscillations being excited by abrupt changes in wind stress. In most cases, the maximum shear occurred at the bottom of the mixed layer and near the surface. In some cases, two shear maxima regions were found below the surface. These cases involved situations of rising wind stress from a previous history of low magnitude.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA098901
Entities
People
- Alex C. Warn-varnas
- Gretchen Dawson