Large-Eddy Simulations of the Tropical Boundary Layer and Upper Ocean Coupling in the Arabian Sea
Abstract
The goal of this study is to use a high-?resolution, large-?eddy simulation (LES) model to study processes in the ocean and atmosphere boundary layers that control the budgets of heat, momentum, and moisture, and better understand how changes in the boundary layer structure alter fluxes over time. Experiments will be performed representing the strong SW monsoon circulation and used to pinpoint the mixing processes that set both the atmosphere and ocean mixed layer depths as well as surface fluxes. The atmosphere LES will be applied over a ~85 km domain and focus primarily on the role of cumulus clouds and shallow precipitating convection in setting the boundary layer entrainment along with near-?surface circulations associated with rainfall events. Profiler data (H. Fernando) will be used to initialize the LES experiments and for validation of the model results. The direct effect of wind gusts and precipitation forced cold pools will be calculated and compared with common bulk flux algorithms (e.g. COARE) by duplicating the LES cases using the Navy Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS). Comparison between the LES and COAMPS experiments will be used to test current bulk flux formulations and explore alternative exchange algorithms under conditions with active convection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512643
Entities
People
- Eric Dale Skyllingstad
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Oregon State University
- United States Navy