Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2017, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (5): 24-32.doi: 10.11978/2016103CSTR: 32234.14.2016103

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The influence of a new drag coefficient scheme considering sea spay on numerical simulation of upper-ocean temperature response to tropical cyclone

LIU Xiaoyan1(), LI Yongping2, DUAN Ziqiang2   

  1. 1. Chinese Academy of Meteorological Science, Beijing 100081, China
    2. Shanghai Typhoon Institute (STI), Wenzhou Lab. of STI, Shanghai 200030, China;
  • Received:2016-10-20 Online:2017-09-20 Published:2017-09-22
  • Supported by:
    National Program on Key Basic Research Project (973) Program (2013CB430305)

Abstract:

To improve model forecast of upper ocean and offer a more proper momentum exchange scheme for an air-sea coupling model, a new drag coefficient scheme of CD considering sea spay layer on the surface is established and is used in the three-dimensional oceanic circulation model of the Princeton Ocean Model (POM). A case of tropical cyclone Kalmaegi in 2014 is selected, which passed through the center of a buoys array set up by our field experiment in the northern South China Sea. Observation data were collected for both atmosphere and ocean in the process, and are used to verify the model simulation. It is found that the drag coefficient CD under low wind condition is consistent with the traditional CD scheme. However, they are different from each other under high wind condition with CD increasing slowly, even decreasing slightly, if sea spay process is considered by the new CD scheme. Furthermore, numerical experiments are conducted using the POM. The results show that the responses of upper ocean on temperature are more reasonable with a weaker cooling rate of ocean temperature and thermocline strength, and smaller deepening of mixed layer depth in the upper ocean if the new drag coefficient scheme is used.

Key words: sea spay, drag coefficient, buoy array in the South China Sea, tropical cyclone, upper ocean