Tidal circulation and buoyancy effects in the St. Lawrence Estuary

Abstract

The action of tides on density‐driven circulation, internal gravity waves, and mixing was investigated in the St. Lawrence Estuary between Rimouski and Québec City. Time‐varying fields of water level, currents and density were computed under typical summer conditions using a three‐dimensional hydrostatic coastal ocean model that incorporates a second order turbulence closure submodel. These results are compared with current meter records and other observations. The model and the observations reveal buoyancy effects produced by tidal forcing. The semi‐diurnal tide raises the isopycnals over the sills at the head of the Laurentian Trough and English Bank, producing internal tides radiating seaward. Relatively dense intermediate waters rise from below 75‐m depth to the near surface over the sills, setting up gravity currents on the inner slopes. Internal hydraulic controls develop over the outer sills; during flood, surface flow separation occurs at the entrances of the Saguenay Fjord and the upper estuary west of Ilet Rouge Bank. Early during ebb flow (restratification), the surface layer deepens to encompass the tops of the sills. As the ebb current intensifies, the model predicts the formation of seaward internal jumps over the outer sills, which were confirmed from acoustic reflection observations. As the internal Froude number increases further, flow separation migrates up to sill height. As a result of these transitions, internal bores emanate from the head region one to two hours before low water. We find that the mixing of oceanic and surface waters near the sills is driven by the vertical shear produced during ebb in the channel south of Ilet Rouge, the shear produced in the bottom gravity flood currents, and, to a lesser extent, the processes over the sills.     

Bubbles and the air‐sea transfer velocity of gases

Abstract

The exchange of gases between the atmosphere and the oceans may occur directly through the sea surface and indirectly through the mediation of additional transient reservoirs: the bubbles injected into the upper ocean by breaking waves. These bubbles both will increase the gross rate of exchange between air and sea and will tend to force a supersaturation of the upper ocean. These two effects are made explicit by writing the equation for the net air‐sea flux of a gas as F = (K₀ + K_b)[C — Sp(1 + ?)], where K_b is the contribution of bubbles to the transfer velocity (gross exchange rate) and ? denotes the supersaturation effect. Significant supersaturations can be attributed to the small (≤150‐μm radius) bubbles, which are commonly advected several metres below the sea surface (Woolf and Thorpe, 1991). The values of K_b attributable to this deep flux of bubbles are negligible for most gases, but much greater values are predicted by considering the total flux of bubbles through the sea surface.

The contribution of bubbles to the transfer velocity, K_b, is approximately proportional to the whitecap coverage. Transfer velocities are a complex function of the diffusivity and solubility of the dissolved gas. This function depends on the distribution of the bubbles. Transfer velocities of relatively soluble gases (and particularly the contribution of small bubbles) are limited by the volume flux of the bubbles, V, through the inequality K_b ≤ V/β where β is the Bunsen solubility of the gas. Values of K_b can be calculated using measurements of the bubbles in a simulated whitecap (Cipriano and Blanchard, 1981). Large (>150‐μm radius) bubbles are the main contributors to the air‐sea transfer velocity. Transfer velocities are less for more soluble gases. The global average value of K_b for carbon dioxide is probably between 2 and 10 cm h^‐1; the best estimate is 8.5 cm h^‐1.     

Water exchange in fjords induced by tidally generated internal lee waves

Tidal processes are examined that control the water exchange between two basins of the Trondheimsfjord through a narrow channel with sills. For this purpose, a non-hydrostatic numerical model based on the laterally averaged Reynolds equations in the Boussinesq approximation was developed. The model takes into account the real vertical fluid stratification, variable bottom topography and variable cross-section of the fjord. Numerical experiments were performed to investigate tidally generated internal waves and their influence on the water exchange.The model produces both baroclinic tides and tidally generated lee waves. It was found that, for the Skarnsund strait which connects the Middle Fjord and the Beitstadfjord, the internal tides generated over the Skarnsund sills are very weak. Their amplitudes do not exceed 1 m.The intense short internal waves, which are identified as unsteady lee waves, comprise the basic input of the total internal wave field. These waves are generated by tidal currents at sill breaks, are trapped by topography in the generation area and grow by continuing feedback into large-amplitude waves. As the tidal flow slackens, they move upstream as freely propagating waves.As essentially nonlinear responses, the lee waves cause a nonlinear water transport. The detailed analysis of the residual currents produced by unsteady lee waves (which are propagating in both directions from the Scarnsund sills) has shown, in particular, that the residual currents can reach values as high as 0.27 m s⁻¹.It was also found that such currents exert a considerable effect on the water exchange through the Skarnsund strait between the adjacent basins. This mechanism can play an important role in water renewal and formation of the Beitasdfjord waters.     

全球海洋环流模式中氚分布的模拟

氚（3H）作为一种重要的被动示踪物,经常被用于研究海洋中的物理过程及评估海洋环流模式的模拟性能。使用一个全球海洋环流模式（LICOM）来研究氚在海洋中的分布、存储和输送。模拟的全球氚通量表明,1975年之前氚主要由海气交换输入海洋,特别是在1963年,氚的气体交换输入约为降水输入的2.5倍,1975年之后两种方式的氚输入通量都大幅减少。比对GEOSECS（Geochemical Ocean Sections Study,1972～1978年）和WOCE （World Ocean Circulation Experiment,1989～1995年）大洋观测计划期间的观测资料发现,我们的模式很好地模拟出了氚的海表分布、水柱总量、经向分布以及次表层的高值信号,主要缺点在于模拟的氚向深层的穿透不足,特别是在全球的两个副热带地区,表现尤为明显,氚输入函数的不确定性和模式物理场描述的不足可能是造成误差的主要原因。模式给出的海洋中氚储存总量的结果与基于观测得到的结果比较吻合,如北太平洋海区：1973～1974年模拟结果约为20.4 kg,相同期间观测估计值为21.1±4.7 kg,1989～1995年模拟结果为20.7 kg,相同期间观测估计值为23.4±2.0 kg。氚在等密度面上高低纬的侧向通风明显,模式成功模拟出氚从中高纬的海表进入,沿等密度面向低纬的次表层输送,又经大洋环流和扩散分别向南半球和高纬输送的过程。     

The Arctic as a trigger for glacial terminations

We propose a hypothesis to explain the very abrupt terminations that end most of the glacial episodes. During the last glaciation, the buildup and southerly expansion of large continental ice-sheets in the Northern Hemisphere and extensive cover of sea ice in the N. Pacific and the N. Atlantic imposed a much more zonal climatic circulation system than exists today. We hypothesize that this, in combination with the frigid (dry) polar air led to a significant decrease in freshwater runoff into the Arctic Ocean. In addition the freshwater contribution of the fresher Pacific water was completely eliminated by the emergence of the Bering Strait (sill depth 50 m). As the Arctic freshwater input was depleted, regions of the Arctic Ocean lost surface stability and eventually overturned, bringing warmer deep water to the surface where it melted the overlying sea ice. This upwelled water was quickly cooled and sank as newly formed deep water. For sustained overturn events, such as might have occurred during the peak of very large glacial periods (i.e. the last glacial maximum), the voluminous deep water formed would eventually overflow into the Nordic Seas and North Atlantic necessitating an equally voluminous rate of return flow of warmer surface waters from the North Atlantic thus breaking down the Arctic's zonal isolation, melting the expansive NA sea ice cover and initiating oceanic heating of the atmosphere over the ice-sheets bordering the NA. We suggest that the combined effect of these overturn-induced events in concert with a Milankovitch warming cycle, was sufficient to drive the system to a termination. We elaborate on this proposed sequence of events, using the model for the formation of the Weddell Sea polynya as proposed by Martinson et al. (1981) and various, albeit sparse, data sets from the circum-Arctic region to apply and evaluate this hypothesis to the problem of glacial terminations.     

Consequences of change and variability in sea ice on marine ecosystem and biogeochemical processes during the 2007–2008 Canadian International Polar Year program

Change and variability in the timing and magnitude of sea ice geophysical and thermodynamic state have consequences on many aspects of the arctic marine system. The changes in both the geophysical and thermodynamic state, and in particular the timing of the development of these states, have consequences throughout the marine system. In this paper we review the ??consequences?? of change in sea ice state on primary productivity, marine mammal habitats, and sea ice as a medium for storage and transport of contaminants and carbon exchange across the ocean-sea-ice-atmosphere interface based upon results from the International Polar Year. Pertinent results include: 1) conditions along ice edges can bring deep nutrient-rich ??pacific?? waters into nutrient-poor surface waters along the arctic coast, affecting local food webs; 2) both sea ice thermodynamic and dynamic processes ultimately affect ringed seal/polar bear habitats by controlling the timing, location and amount of surface deformation required for ringed seal and polar bear preferred habitat 3) the ice edges bordering open waters of flaw leads are areas of high biological production and are observed to be important beluga habitat. 4) exchange of climate-active gases, including CO₂, is extremely active in sea ice environments, and the overall question of whether the Arctic Ocean is (or will be) a source or sink for CO₂ will be dependent on the balance of competing climate-change feedbacks.     

Equilibria of the marine multiphase ammonia system

A lack of empirical data has made it difficult to ascertain whether ammonia is in equilibrium between the oceanic, atmospheric gas and atmospheric particle phases in the remote marine environment. Reported here are simultaneous measurements of the saturation concentration of ammonia relative to ammonia concentrations in ocean surface waters; total seawater ammonia; atmospheric gas phase ammonia; and atmospheric particulate-phase ammonium, non-seasalt sulfate, methanesulfonate, and nitrate. Sampling was performed in May of 1987 in the northeast Pacific Ocean environment and in April and May of 1988 in the central Pacific Ocean environment.These measurements were used to determine the degree to which ammonia approached equilibrium between the oceanic and atmospheric gas and aerosol particle phases. The experimental atmospheric gas phase ammonia concentrations were compared with calculated equilibrium concentrations assuming a Henry's law type of partitioning between the gas and condensed phases. Characteristic times of the processes controlling the fate of ammonia in the marine environment also were compared.The measured atmospheric gas phase and oceanic concentrations of ammonia indicate that ammonia is not in a Henry's law equilibrium across the air/sea interface. This disequilibrium is a result of the long air/sea exchange equilibration time relative to the lifetime of ammonia in the atmosphere. Comparison of the calculated equilibrium gas phase ammonia concentrations with the measured gas phase ammonia concentrations shows that attainment of equilibrium between the atmospheric gas and particle phases is a strong function of the chemical composition of the aerosol particles. The data suggest that fully neutralized aerosol particles are not in Henry's law equilibrium with the gas phase while equilibrium is observed for particles with an average ammonium to non-seasalt sulfate molar ratio less than 1.8.     

亲潮延伸体海区一次海雾过程的观测研究

西北太平洋是全球海雾最多的海域,但由于观测资料匮乏,对开阔大洋上海雾形成机理的个例研究很少。2019年9月12—14日,中国北极科考船“向阳红01号”在亲潮延伸体水域捕捉到一次海雾事件。主要利用船载观测数据,分析了海雾形成的物理过程。结果表明,这是一次温带气旋的暖锋和局地海洋锋(海面温度锋)共同影响下的海雾过程。伴随暖锋的偏南气流将暖湿空气向北输送,在亲潮延伸体区,海面空气增湿效应大于增温效应,导致相对湿度不断增加接近饱和。北上暖空气遇到较冷水域上空的冷空气团,向上爬升形成大范围锋面逆温;局地海洋锋强迫出大气边界层内的次级环流,其下沉支使该锋面逆温层底的高度进一步降低,有利于雾滴局限在近海面成雾,雾区出现于暖锋锋面过后局地海洋锋的冷水侧。这项研究明确了海雾形成过程中作为背景环流的大气暖锋与作为局地强迫项的海洋锋的贡献,可为海雾预报提供新的理论支撑。     

东中国海黑潮海洋锋的季节变化特征及其成因

利用高分辨率海洋和大气再分析资料研究了东中国海黑潮海洋锋的季节变化特征及其成因。研究表明,东海黑潮海洋锋存在明显的季节变化,从冬季到次年春季逐渐增强,并在春季达到最强,初夏以后强度逐渐减弱,9—10月达到全年最弱。通过诊断混合层热流量方程发现,东海黑潮区一年四季均表现为暖的温度平流,有利于海洋锋的形成和维持,该暖平流也存在季节变化并在春季达到最大,对海洋锋在春季达到最强起了重要作用。海气界面净热通量在秋冬季对海洋锋的形成有促进作用,有利于海洋锋增强,而在春夏季则起抑制作用,促进海洋锋消亡。温度垂直输送全年对海洋锋起一定程度的抑制作用。总之,在海温水平平流和海表净热通量的共同作用下导致海洋锋春季达到最强,而夏秋季海表净热通量和温度垂直输送作用的共同作用致使海洋锋减弱并最后消失。因此,海洋的动力和热力共同作用导致了东海黑潮海洋锋的季节变化,其中海温水平平流和海表净热通量对海洋锋的季节变化起主要作用,而温度垂直输送项对海洋锋的发展起抑制作用,但影响相对较小。     

On the air‐sea interaction in areas of thermal marine fronts in the Greenland Sea

Abstract

The effects of marine fronts on the local atmospheric surface layer and air‐sea interaction were studied. Several mesoscale fronts were crossed by a research vessel in the Greenland Sea. Air temperature, humidity and stability conditions, and the fluxes of momentum, as well as sensible and latent heat, were investigated. For relatively calm conditions, close air‐sea coupling was observed in the temperature whereas for stronger winds, the air temperature of the surface layer was not markedly modified by the front below. Changes in the moisture content in the frontal area were observed and, in one case, evaporation was observed on the warm water side and condensation on the cold water side of the front. Frontal differences in heating from the sea were assumed to affect the surface‐layer wind field.     

Mean position and variability of the sea surface temperature front east of the grand banks

Abstract

Three years of weekly sea surface temperature maps were analysed to determine the mean position and standard deviation of the front separating the Mixed Water from the North Atlantic Current water to the east of the Grand Banks between 40–50°N and 40–50°W. The front was found to lie along the path of the North Atlantic Current proposed by Dietrich et al. (1975) and to have a standard deviation ranging from 100 to 200 km. The dominant mode of movement at periods of 6 months and longer consisted of a nearly uniform translation. The trajectories of satellite‐tracked drifting buoys were analysed to create a map of the eddy kinetic energy for the region. The high energy ridge of the map generally corresponded to the mean position of the sea surface temperature front.     

The Rose Spit Eddy in Dixon Entrance: Evidence for its existence and underlying dynamics

Abstract

The existence and dynamics of the so‐called “Rose Spit Eddy” in Dixon Entrance, British Columbia, are investigated by (i) analysing published observations of low‐frequency Eulerian and Lagrangian currents in the region; (ii) interpreting tidal residuals produced by the Hecate Model (a non‐rotating hydraulic model of Hecate Strait and Dixon Entrance); and (iii) running a barotropic, non‐linear numerical tidal model over simplified topography to investigate residuals produced over the Rose Spit sill.

Observations have consistently revealed persistent basin‐wide, surface‐intensified cyclonic shears within central and eastern Dixon Entrance. The Hecate hydraulic tidal model also produced a tidal residual cyclonic gyre in central Dixon Entrance, but with velocities considerably larger than those observed. Barotropic numerical simulations of tidal streams flowing over a representation of the Rose Spit sill produced residual flows along the sill in reasonable agreement with observations and theory. A southward‐directed jet flow was produced off Cape Chacon. Elsewhere, tidal rectification was weak. Run without the Coriolis force, organized flow along the sill broke down, although the headland jet off Cape Chacon persisted.

We submit that the observed Rose Spit eddy results from interactions between buoyancy‐driven coastal currents and tidally rectified flows generated over the Rose Spit sill, and near Cape Chacon, and perhaps indirectly, over the western flank of Learmonth Bank (which although west of the Rose Spit eddy, contributes to the cross‐channel flow across the Entrance). These regions of localized tidal stress will each favour recirculation of a portion of the coastal current within the Entrance, helping to form the eddy.

We believe that the Hecate hydraulic model eddy was generated to a significant degree by phase errors introduced at the northern open boundary, where a rocking barrier was used to force currents. A second rocking barrier also produced a large cyclonic gyre, not supported by observations, near the model's southern boundary.     

Estimate of the steric contribution to global sea level rise from a comparison of the WOCE one‐time survey with 2006–2008 Argo observations

Abstract

It is well known from observations by altimetric satellites (predominantly TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason‐1) that global sea level is rising. What is less well known is exactly how the observed sea level rise is partitioned between a steric contribution (sea level rising because of changes in ambient temperature and salinity) and a contribution arising from the addition of new water mass to the oceans. Strictly speaking, such a separation is not possible because of the non‐linearity in the equation of state for sea water, but in practice the non‐linearities are sufficiently small to allow this separation as a very good first approximation.

A careful comparison of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) one‐time survey with recent observations by the Argo array indicate a steric component to sea level rise of 2.2 mm y^–1 between the early 1990s and 2006 to 2008. This is a significantly larger rise rate than previously estimated and, along with recent estimates of melt rate from ice sheets, is in much closer agreement with the total rise rate as reported by altimetric satellites, 3.2 ± 0.4 mm y^–1 over this period.     

Learning about the ocean carbon cycle from observational constraints and model simulations of multiple tracers

A key question in studies of the potential for reducing uncertainty in climate change projections is how additional observations may be used to constrain models. We examine the case of ocean carbon cycle models. The reliability of ocean models in projecting oceanic CO₂ uptake is fundamentally dependent on their skills in simulating ocean circulation and air–sea gas exchange. In this study we demonstrate how a model simulation of multiple tracers and utilization of a variety of observational data help us to obtain additional information about the parameterization of ocean circulation and air–sea gas exchange, relative to approaches that use only a single tracer. The benefit of using multiple tracers is based on the fact that individual tracer holds unique information with regard to ocean mixing, circulation, and air–sea gas exchange. In a previous modeling study, we have shown that the simulation of radiocarbon enables us to identify the importance of parameterizing sub-grid scale ocean mixing processes in terms of diffusive mixing along constant density surface (isopycnal mixing) and the inclusion of the effect of mesoscale eddies. In this study we show that the simulation of phosphate, a major macronutrient in the ocean, helps us to detect a weak isopycnal mixing in the upper ocean that does not show up in the radiocarbon simulation. We also show that the simulation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) reveals excessive upwelling in the Southern Ocean, which is also not apparent in radiocarbon simulations. Furthermore, the updated ocean inventory data of man-made radiocarbon produced by nuclear tests (bomb ¹⁴C) enable us to recalibrate the rate of air–sea gas exchange. The progressive modifications made in the model based on the simulation of additional tracers and utilization of updated observational data overall improve the model’s ability to simulate ocean circulation and air–sea gas exchange, particularly in the Southern Ocean, and has great consequence for projected CO₂ uptake. Simulated global ocean uptake of anthropogenic CO₂ from pre-industrial time to the present day by both previous and updated models are within the range of observational-based estimates, but with substantial regional difference, especially in the Southern Ocean. By year 2100, the updated model estimated CO₂ uptake are 531 and 133 PgC (1PgC?=?10¹⁵ gram carbon) for the global and Southern Ocean respectively, whereas the previous version model estimated values are 540 and 190 PgC.     

Are polynyas self‐sustaining?

Abstract

In this paper, 441 Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) casts from the North Water (NOW) Polynya study were used to calculate geostrophic currents between the 10 and 200 dbar surface during April, May and June 1998. Results for April and May indicated a surface intensified southward flow of 10 to 15 cm s^–1 with a small return flow along the Greenland coast in agreement with inferred currents described by Melling et al. (2001) and surface ice drifts found by Wilson et al. (2001). Southward transports at this time were 0.4–0.55 Sv in April and May. In June, however, surface currents diminished markedly: southward transports declined to 0.1–0.35 Sv, coincident with a decrease in directly measured winds over the polynya and in the surface barometric pressure difference between Grise Fjord and the Carey Islands that was used as a surrogate for the local north wind speed. There was no evident decrease in air pressure difference between Resolute and Grise Fjord, indicative of the strength of the north wind over the eastern Arctic in general. The results are consistent with present thinking that the NOW Polynya is primarily a latent heat polynya, forced by dominant north winds. The idea, broached here, is that the polynya creates its own microclimate which sustains the polynya's ice‐free condition after its initial formation. The mechanism is identified by an anomalous low pressure region associated with surface buoyancy flux in the polynya and is pursued through the application of a simple geostrophic adjustment model that suggests two self‐sustaining mechanisms. Firstly, the frontal intrusion of the cold ambient terrestrial air mass drives a significant surface wind that transports frazil ice to the edge of the polynya before it can congeal. Secondly, rotation at these high latitudes restricts the penetration of the front into the polynya, essentially insulating the centre from freezing temperatures.     

Numerical modeling of the cross-section structure of the subarctic/subtropical boundary in the North Pacific

A simple variational model of the zonal region between waters has been developed with a specified density gradient and a convergence zone. An approximate analytical solution has been constructed. The boundary between waters is shown to divide into two fronts, a convergence front and a density front. The density front should be shifted equatorward relative to the convergence axis. Such a structure corresponds to the subarctic/subtropical boundary in the Pacific Ocean: the subarctic front and the Kuroshio Extension front that goes into the North Pacific Current.     

Air-sea interaction including a shallow and coastal zone

We performed special experimental and theoretical research concerning the energy--mass exchange process in shallow waters, which took into account the influence of the basin depth on the evaporation and sensible heat exchange. Data was obtained from deep water basins, as well as from shallow waters, at an open sea, as well as in its coastal zone. A new parameterization model of evaporation and friction velocity from shallow water surfaces under different wind velocities was investigated. Results of models and measurements of the energy/mass exchange intensity of a small shallow lake (LITFASS-experiments) were compared. The validation of these models with the eddy-covariance measurements of the LITFASS-98 and LITFASS-2003 experiments showed good results for the wind sector, with good fetch conditions. Therefore, the models examined may be used for calculating the evaporation of lakes where a standard data set of wind velocity, air and water temperature, air moisture and the depth of the lake is available. It should be remembered that in a coastal zone the roughness of the water surface is transformed and therefore there are additional calculation difficulties for the intensity of the energy-mass exchange. Based on our experimental data of the basin depth influence on the water-atmosphere exchange, a new model for the calculation of the energy-mass exchange in a coastal zone was developed. Our new model in combination with the empirical dependence for the calculation of the energy-mass exchange in a coastal zone allows calculation of the momentum, heat and humidity fluxes values at different distances from a shore.     

渤海湾地区一次碰撞型海风锋天气过程的数值模拟分析

利用WRF(Weather Research and Forecasting)模式对渤海湾地区2009年9月26日一次碰撞型海风锋天气过程进行了数值模拟分析,模拟结果较好地重现了这次天气过程以及海风锋的结构和特征。结果显示,海风锋锋后是较为深厚的对流不稳定能量和水汽高值区,锋后水汽高值区的形成源于海风的堆积和往高空输送,而锋后对流不稳定能量的产生归因于抬升凝结高度和自由对流高度的降低以及平衡高度的升高,这些高度变化则源于冷湿海风给低层大气带来的降温和增湿,其中给低层大气带来的增湿是主要影响因子。对流系统与海风锋相向碰撞时,对流系统容易进入海风锋锋后触发强对流不稳定能量形成强对流运动,同时弱对流抑制为对流运动的触发提供了有利的条件,强对流运动把海风锋锋后充沛的水汽往上输送,从而造成强降水天气。另外,对流系统与海风锋碰撞后沿着海风锋锋后移动可能更有利于对流运动的发展和维持。     

2013年宁波地区一次海风锋对雷暴过程影响分析及数值模拟

利用浙江省常规气象站观测资料、地面自动站加密资料、新一代多普勒天气雷达资料、NCEP GFS分析资料以及WRF中尺度模式,对2013年7月29日发生在宁波市地区的一个局地强雷暴天气过程进行了诊断分析和数值模拟。通过对天气环流和数值模拟结果的分析发现：本次强雷暴过程发生在较稳定的大气背景下,主要影响系统是中尺度辐合线海风锋;多普勒雷达出现弱窄带回波时,对应中尺度辐合线海风锋;海风锋向内陆推进时,对应站点温度降低、湿度增大。WRF模式能较好地模拟出此次雷暴过程以及宁波地区低层海风锋环流,高空回流随时间和空间的演变特征;海风锋的锋生造成的地转强迫促使次级环流加强,在东西风辐合线西侧有垂直上升运动出现;通过与敏感试验的对比可知,海陆热力差异是影响雷暴降水强度、海风锋水平垂直环流的重要因素。     

一次海风锋天气过程分析与数值模拟

利用NCEP再分析资料、自动气象站观测数据、多普勒天气雷达反射率因子和WRF模式,对2015年5月24日午后,海南岛东北部出现的一次较强的海风锋降水天气进行过程分析和数值模拟。结果表明:强降水发生期间,海南岛处于副热带高压边缘,中低层水汽来源充沛,降水前后K指数变化明显;两支分别来自海口海岸线向东南移动与来自文昌海岸线向西北移动的海风锋的发展、增强与移动,是导致本次降水的主要原因。另外,中部山区小尺度的地形辐合有利于过程期间海风锋的加强与发展;WRF模式的模拟结果说明,海风锋发展最旺盛的时候,锋面高度达约1000 m,宽度约0.15个经度;海风锋垂直环流圈的建立伴随着地面降水的加强;地面降水减弱时,海风锋环流圈逐渐消失。