Equatorial influence of QuikSCAT winds in an isopycnal ocean model compared to NCEP2 winds

An ocean model was used to examine whether the scatterometer winds can improve the model performance both dynamically and thermodynamically. Comparisons were done using QuikSCAT and NCEP2 winds for both the mean and variability from 2000 to 2004. The comparisons showed that the model forced by QuikSCAT winds gives more realistic mean SST, 20 °C isotherm depth (Z20), and latent heat flux than NCEP2 winds do. Sensitivity experiments indicated that QuikSCAT mean wind stress is important for the improved mean SST, Z20, and latent heat release to the atmosphere in the eastern Pacific. QuikSCAT wind speed, through its effect on the turbulent heat fluxes, is most important for the mean SST in the western Pacific. Finally, there were comparable correlations with observations of both SST and Z20 on the intra-seasonal time scale between the model forced with QuikSCAT winds and the model forced with NCEP2 winds.     

Comparison of surface wind stress characteristics over the Tropical Atlantic (10°N–40°S) in fields derived from the UWM/COADS, NCEP/NCAR and QuikSCAT datasets

A comparison of monthly wind stress derived from winds of NCEP/NCAR (National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research) reanalysis and UWM/COADS (The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee/Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set) dataset (1950–1993), and of NCEP/NCAR reanalysis and satellite-based QuikSCAT dataset (2000–2006), is made over the South Atlantic (10°N–40°S). On a mean seasonal scale, the comparison shows that these three wind stress datasets have qualitatively similar patterns. Quantitatively, in general, from about the equator to 20°S in the mid-Atlantic the wind stress values are stronger in NCEP/NCAR data than those in UWM/COADS data. On the other hand, in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) area the wind stress values in NCEP/NCAR data are slightly weaker than those in UWM/COADS data. In the South Atlantic, between 20° S–40°S, the QuikSCAT dataset presents complex circulation structures which are not present in NCEP/NCAR and UWM/COADS data. The wind stress is used in a numerical ocean model to simulate ocean currents, which are compared to a drifting-buoy observed climatology. The modeled South Equatorial Current agrees better with observations between March–May and June–August. Between December–February, the South Equatorial Current from UWM/COADS and QuikSCAT experiments is stronger and more developed than that from NCEP/NCAR experiment. The Brazil Current, in turn, is better represented in the QuikSCAT experiment. Comparison of the annual migration of ITCZ at 20° and 30°W in UWM/COADS and NCEP/NCAR data sources show that the southernmost position of ITCZ at 30°W in February, March and April coincides with the rainy season in NE Brazil, while the northernmost position of ITCZ at 20°W in August coincides with the maximum rainfall of Northwest Africa.     

Validation of gridded data set of global surface wind/wind-stress vector field

Gridded data of global surface wind/wind-stress vectors, called J-OFURO v2, were obtained from satellite scatterometer (QuikSCAT/SeaWinds) data for the decade from August 1999 to July 2009. The data were validated by comparing with (1) in situ measurements from moored buoy observations, (2) a data product from the same scatterometer using a different gridding procedure (IFREMER), and (3) data products based on numerical models (NCEP-1 and NCEP-2). The results on averaging all buoy data revealed lower mean differences, lower root-mean-square (RMS) differences, and higher correlations for the wind/wind-stress components for the J-OFURO v2 product than the other data products. The statistical values calculated for each buoy station showed tendencies of decreasing reliability with increasing latitude in the mid-latitude region, while the reliabilities in the equatorial areas were low. We performed intercomparisons between the J-OFURO v2 data and the other data sets to clarify discrepancies among different wind products in open ocean regions with few moored buoys. We determined that the meridional wind components from the NCEP products exhibited poleward deviations compared to data from the J-OFURO v2 product. Relatively high mean differences, high RMS differences, and low correlations were found in the equatorial ocean for the NCEP products. Striped features were spatially correlated with buoy locations in the equatorial Pacific, which suggested that the reliability of the NCEP products was governed by buoy locations in this region.     

Spatio-temporal variability in sea surface wind stress near and off the east coast of Korea

Sea surface wind stress variabilities near and off the east coast of Korea, are examined using 7 kinds of wind datasets from measurements at 2 coastal (land) stations and 2 ocean buoys,satellite scatterometer (QuikSCAT), and global reanalyzed products (ECMWF,NOGAPS,and NCEP/NCAR). Temporal variabilities are analyzed at 3 frequency bands; synoptic (2-20 d), intra-seasonal (20-90 d),and seasonal (>90 d).Synoptic and intra-seasonal     

基于最优插值方法的微波-红外辐射计数据融合全球海面温度网格产品

A new 0.1° gridded daily sea surface temperature(SST) data product is presented covering the years 2003–2015. It is created by fusing satellite SST data retrievals from four microwave(Wind Sat, AMSR-E, ASMR2 and HY-2 A RM)and two infrared(MODIS and AVHRR) radiometers(RMs) based on the optimum interpolation(OI) method. The effect of including HY-2 A RM SST data in the fusion product is studied, and the accuracy of the new SST product is determined by various comparisons with moored and drifting buoy measurements. An evaluation using global tropical moored buoy measurements shows that the root mean square error(RMSE) of the new gridded SST product is generally less than 0.5℃. A comparison with US National Data Buoy Center meteorological and oceanographic moored buoy observations shows that the RMSE of the new product is generally less than 0.8℃. A comparison with measurements from drifting buoys shows an RMSE of 0.52–0.69℃. Furthermore, the consistency of the new gridded SST dataset and the Remote Sensing Systems microwave-infrared SST dataset is evaluated, and the result shows that no significant inconsistency exists between these two products.     

Validity of sea surface temperature observed with the TRITON buoy under diurnal heating conditions

In order to investigate the validity of buoy-observed sea surface temperature (SST), we installed special instruments to measure near-surface ocean temperature on the TRITON buoy moored at 2.07°N, 138.06°E from 2 to 13 March 2004, in addition to a standard buoy sensor for the regular SST measurement at 1.5-m depth. Large diurnal SST variations were observed during this period, and the variations of the temperatures at about 0.3-m depth could be approximately simulated by a one-dimensional numerical model. However, there was a notable discrepancy between the buoy-observed 1.5-m-depth SST (SST_1.5m) and the corresponding model-simulated temperature only during the daytime when the diurnal rise was large. The evaluation of the heat balance in the sea surface layer showed that the diurnal rise of the SST_1.5m in these cases could not be accounted for by solar heating alone. We examined the depth of the SST_1.5m sensor and the near-surface temperature observed from a ship near the buoy, and came to the conclusion that the solar heating of the buoy hull and/or a disturbance in the temperature field around the buoy hull would contribute to the excessive diurnal rise of the SST_1.5m observed with the TRITON buoy. However, the temperature around the hull was not sufficiently homogenized, as suggested in a previous paper. For the diurnal rise of the SST_1.5m exceeding 0.5 K, the daytime buoy data became doubtful, through dynamics that remain to be clarified. A simple formula is proposed to correct the unexpected diurnal amplitude of the buoy SST_1.5m.     

Ocean-atmosphere momentum coupling in the Kuroshio Extension observed from space

Using a combination of Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT), Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-Earth Observing System (AMSR-E), and Lagrangian drifter measurements, we demonstrate that wind data alone are not sufficient to derive ocean surface stress (momentum flux) over mid-latitude ocean fronts, specifically the Kuroshio Extension. There was no continuous and large-scale stress measurement over ocean until the launch of the scatterometers. Stress had been derived from winds through a drag coefficient, and our concept of stress distribution may be largely influenced by our knowledge of wind distribution. QuikSCAT reveals that the variability of stress could be very different from wind. The spatial coherence between the magnitude of stress and sea surface temperature (SST), between the divergence of surface stress and the downwind SST gradient, and between the vorticity of stress and crosswind SST gradient, are the inherent characteristics of stress (turbulence production by buoyancy) that would exist even under a uniform wind field. The coherence between stress vorticity and SST gradient is masked by the rotation of ocean currents over the Kuroshio meanders. Surface stress rotates in the opposite direction to surface currents because stress is the vector difference between wind and current. The results are in agreement with a previous study of the Agulhas Extension and confirm the unique stress measuring capability of the scatterometer.     

利用浮标资料初步评估NCEP再分析湍通量

通过与浮标观测资料的对比分析,指出NCEP动量通量、再计算NCEP热通量更能够代表NCEP再分析数据库的数值模拟效果。当风速大于20m/s时,数值模拟的湍通量低于浮标块体湍通量,当风速在10～20m/s时,数值模拟的湍通量高于浮标块体湍通量。同时还发现数值模拟结果的延迟现象,以及不能反映大风过后快速的海气温差变化而引起的感热通量变化。     

两种海面风场的对比及对海浪模拟的影响

海面风场在海浪模拟研究和预报中起着关键性的作用,再分析风场数据可为海浪模式提供长时间的大范围、高时空分辨率海面风场。利用日本浮标站资料和卫星高度计资料对再分析风场QuickSCAT/NCEP(Q/N)混合风场和ERA风场进行验证分析,并利用WAVEWATCH-Ⅲ模式进行连续12个月的数值模拟试验。对比风场和计算得到的海浪场得出结论:在风速较小的时候,ERA和Q/N风场较实测风场大,在风速较大的时候,ERA和Q/N风场较实测风场小;ERA风场模拟浪高较浮标观测波高偏小;Q/N混合风场模拟的浪高更接近实测浪高。     

3种海面风场资料在台湾海峡的比较和评估

本文对3种海面风场资料(CCMP、NCEP、ERA)在台湾海峡风场的平面分布和时间变化特征进行了相互比较,并应用2011年浮标观测的风速和风向资料分别对3种风场的误差进行了分析及评估。主要结论如下:(1)3种资料风场的平面分布、季节变化和年际变化特征基本一致,差异主要表现在冬季NCEP资料在海峡中部和南部的风速相对CCMP和ERA资料较大;(2)CCMP资料的风速偏差、风速均方根误差和风向均方根误差分别为-0.62m/s、1.67m/s和31°,NCEP分别为0.15m/s、1.64m/s和31°,ERA分别为-1.36m/s、2.4m/s和33°;NCEP资料的风速整体略偏大、CCMP略偏小、ERA偏小明显,CCMP和NCEP资料比ERA资料更接近观测;(3)在西南季风影响期以及风速较小时(风速不大于10m/s)CCMP资料的风速可信度较高、NCEP资料的风速偏大;在东北季风影响期以及风速较大时(大于10m/s)NCEP资料的风速可信度较高、CCMP资料的风速偏小;(4)3种资料的风向误差接近,均在低风速时(风速小于5m/s)误差较大。本文的结论可以为台湾海峡的海洋和大气科学研究选择合适的海面风场资料提供借鉴和参考。     

Evaluation of ENVISAT ASAR data for sea surface wind retrieval in Hong Kong coastal waters of China

The C-band wind speed retrieval models, CMOD4, CMOD - IFR2, and CMOD5 were applied to retrieval of sea surface wind speeds from ENVISAT （European environmental satellite） ASAR （advanced synthetic aperture radar） data in the coastal waters near Hong Kong during a period from October 2005 to July 2007. The retrieved wind speeds are evaluated by comparing with buoy measurements and the QuikSCAT （quick scatterometer） wind products. The results show that the CMOD4 model gives the best performance at wind speeds lower than 15 m/s. The correlation coefficients with buoy and QuikSCAT winds are 0.781 and 0.896, respectively. The root mean square errors are the same 1.74 m/s. Namely, the CMOD4 model is the best one for sea surface wind speed retrieval from ASAR data in the coastal waters near Hong Kong.     

WindSat近海岸风场与美国沿岸浮标对比分析

利用美国近海岸2004-2014年的固定浮标数据,本文对比分析了WindSat的近海岸风速产品。匹配时空窗口分别为30分钟和25公里。对比分析结果表明：WindSat反演的美国近海岸风速产品的均方根误差优于1.44 m/s,并且东海岸风速反演结果优于西海岸。WindSat下降轨道的风速反演结果优于上升轨道的结果。通过浮标相互间的对比分析发现,WindSat近海岸的风速反演结果与近岸海水深度、经度及距岸距离等因素并无明显的相关性。此外,利用2007-2008年的固定浮标数据,本文还对比分析了WindSat和QuikSCAT的近海岸风速反演结果,结果表明：相对于浮标数据,WindSat的风速反演值偏低,而QuikSCAT的风速反演值偏高;总体上来看,WindSat的近岸风速反演结果略优于QuikSCAT的近海岸风速反演结果。以上风速反演的精度均达到了传感器设定的指标,其为进一步的科学研究提供了良好的数据支撑。     

3套不同的SST再分析数据与中国近海浮标观测的对比研究

基于自然资源部浮标数据，通过分析均值差、均方根误差、相关系数和标准差偏差4个统计量，检验了2018年7月1日至8月6日全时段及该时段内3个台风（1808号台风“玛利亚”、1810号台风“安比”、1812号台风“云雀”）过境期间，3套海表面温度（Sea Surface Temperature，SST）再分析资料（OISST、OSTIA SST、RTG SST）在中国近海区域的可靠性。对比结果表明，在全时段内，3套SST再分析资料都能在一定程度上反映中国近海SST的基本状况，其中OSTIA SST资料同浮标实测SST数据的均值差为0.12℃、相关系数为0.94，均优于OISST资料（均值差为–0.85℃、相关系数为0.90）和RTG SST资料（均值差为–0.17℃、相关系数为0.86）。通过对比单个浮标数据发现，相较约80%的MF浮标实测SST数据，OSTIA SST资料都显著优于RTG SST资料和OISST资料，具有较高的可信度。在台风过境期间，较之RTG SST资料和OISST资料，OSTIA SST资料同大部分浮标实测数据的均值差绝对值及均方根误差更小、相关系数更大，表明在高海况条件下，OSTIA SST资料能更真实地反映中国近海SST的基本状况。     

Coastal upwelling along the north coast of Papua New Guinea and SST cooling over the pacific warm pool: A case study for the 2002/03 El Niño event

We investigate an overlooked mechanism—coastal upwelling—for sea surface temperature (SST) cooling in the western side of the mean location of the Pacific warm pool (WSWP: 5°S–5°N, 140°E–150°E) prior to El Niño onset. We analyze various observed data such as the TRIangle Trans-Ocean buoy Network (TRITON) moored buoy data, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) data, satellite data and a hindcast experiment output by a high-resolution ocean general circulation model (OGCM). We focus on the precondition of the 2002/03 El Niño event, for which many datasets are available. Relatively cool water upwelled along the north coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG) during December 2001, prior to the onset of the 2002/03 El Niño event, and then spread out over a wider area to the northeast. Simultaneously, strong west-northerly surface winds occur along the north coast. Heat budget analysis of TRITON buoy data in the WSWP reveals that negative zonal heat advection due to eastward current is the main factor for cooling the mixed layer in the WSWP in contrast to the warming effect of the surface heat flux during the period. This cooling requires a source of colder water to the west. Similar analysis of OGCM outputs also suggests that the upwelled relatively cool water along the PNG north coast, and its northeastward extension to the equatorial region, contributes to cooling of the surface water over the WSWP mainly via negative zonal heat advection. Similar mechanisms are confirmed also for the 1982/83 and 1997/98 El Niño events by analyses of OGCM outputs and historical SST data. The low SST in the WSWP generated a positive zonal SST gradient together with high SST east of the WSWP. It may contribute to enhancement of the westerly surface wind in this region, leading to the onset of the 2002/03 El Niño event.     

北部湾春季季风转换时期两潜标站余流分析

2007年春季季风转换期间, 在北部湾湾口两站利用潜标观测获得了80余天的流速剖面等资料序列.结合NASA喷气推进实验室物理海洋学数据分发存档中心提供的QuikSCAT海表面风场数据, 以及NOAA国家气候数据中心提供的海表面温度数据, 利用交叉谱分析方法对观测期间两站余流结构及其影响因子进行分析.结果表明: 1) 春季季风转换时期, 北部湾风场北分量具有周期为10d左右的震荡.风的输运造成密度场结构出现相应的震荡, 从而会引起密度流的变化.2) M4站余流主要由风场控制, 水体向北部湾内输运.3) M5站表底层余流差距较大, 整层余流均受到了风的直接影响, 而表层还受到了由风引起的密度流变化的影响, 因此风通过两种方式影响了M5站的余流.     

NCEP再分析资料和浮标观测资料计算海气热通量的比较

对来自于美国国家环境预报中心公布的NCEP1、NCEP2 再分析资料和来自于定点布放在黄海北部的浮标观测资料进行了比较和分析。结果是： NCEP 再分析资料中的海表气象参数（风速、湿度、气温、海表温度）是可信的。在统计意义上, NCEP2 给出的海表气象参数比NCEP1 与浮标观测值更接近,而净辐射通量则是NCEP1 ...     

Mixed Layer Depth and its Variability in the Eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean as Revealed by Observations and Model Simulations

Mixed layer depth (MLD) variability in the Eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean (EEIO) from a hindcast run of an Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) forced by daily winds and radiative fluxes from NCEP-NCAR reanalysis from 2004 to 2006 is investigated. Model MLD compares well with the ～20,000 observations from Argo floats and a TRITON buoy (1.5°S and 90°E) in the Indian Ocean. Tests with a one-dimensional upper ocean model were conducted to assess the impact on the MLD simulations that would result from the lack of the diurnal cycle in the forcing applied to the OGCM. The error was of the order of ～12 m. MLD at the TRITON buoy location shows a bimodal pattern with deep MLD during May–June and December–January. MLD pattern during fall 2006 was significantly different from the climatology and was rather shallow during December–January both in the model and observation. An examination of mixed layer heat and salt budget suggested salinity freshening caused by the advective and vertical diffusive mixing to be the cause of shallow MLD.     

Long-term variability of oceanic frontal zones associated with large-scale atmospheric forcing

Global satellite sea surface temperature (SST) measurements and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis wind data for the period of 1982–2009 have been used to study the relationship between long-term variability of oceanic frontal zones (OFZ) and large-scale atmospheric forcing. Statistically significant positive correlations between the maximum magnitude of the meridional gradient of zonally averaged SST and meridional shear of zonal wind (which is an estimate of the Ekman convergence intensity) were found for all subpolar and subtropical OFZ of the World Ocean. Variability of the latitudinal position of OFZ cores may be associated with Ekman advection variability due to zonal wind variations. Strengthening of zonal wind results in a shift of subpolar OFZ cores to the south/north in the Northern/Southern hemispheres.     

2008年冬季台湾海峡及其邻近海域QuikSCAT卫星遥感风场的检验及应用分析

采用布放在台湾海峡及其邻近海域的2个浮标对2008年冬季（2008年12月至2009年2月）QuikSCAT卫星遥感观测的风场资料进行了检验.结果表明,这两者风速的相关系数为0.93,平均偏差为-0.03 m/s,均方根误差为1.10 m/s,平均绝对误差为1.54 m/s;风向平均偏差为-9.53°,均方根误差为22.83°,平均绝对误差为33.84.°这表明QuikSCAT卫星遥感风场资料在台湾海峡及其邻近海域冬季风观测中具有很高的适用性.本文利用2008年冬季QuikSCAT卫星遥感的平均风速场,分析了在＂狭管效应＂影响下台湾海峡及其邻近海域的风速特征.结果显示其平均风速具有3个基本特征：（1）台湾海峡中部存在着明显高于附近其他海域的高风速区,平均风速高出1~4m/s,风速高值区更贴近海峡东岸.（2）台湾海峡南部平均风速大于北部.（3）台湾岛东北角和西南角各有一个风速低值区.结合对2009年2月15~18日一次冷空气大风过程的分析发现,风速越大台湾海峡＂狭管效应＂越明显.     

Inter-Comparison of Numerical Model Generated Surface Winds with QuikSCAT Winds over the Indian Ocean

The accurate surface wind in the equatorial Indian Ocean is crucial for modeling ocean circulation over this region. In this study, the surface wind analysis generated at the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) are compared with NASA QuikSCAT satellite derived Level2B (swath level) and Level3 (gridded) surface winds for the year 2005. It is observed that the ECMWF winds exhibit speed bias of 1.5 m/s with respect to QuikSCAT Level3 in the southern equatorial Indian Ocean. The NCEP winds are found to exhibit speed bias (1.0–1.5 m/s) in the southern equatorial Indian Ocean specifically during January–February 2005. The biases are also observed in the analysis when compared with Level2B product as well; however, it is less in comparison to Level3 products. The amplitude of daily variations of both ECMWF and NCEP wind speed in Bay of Bengal and parts of the Arabian Sea is about 80% of that in QuikSCAT, while in the equatorial Indian Ocean it is about 60% of that of QuikSCAT.