Effects of mesoscale atmospheric convection cells on the waters of the East China Sea

Currents and atmospheric parameters were measured in the East China Sea in February, 1975, as part of the AMTEX'75 program. These data were used to describe outbreaks of cold continental air over this warm and shallow sea. Particular emphasis was placed on describing the structure of mesoscale atmospheric cells embedded in the outbreaks and the effects of these cells on the water column.Two cold air outbreaks were recorded. Heat fluxes (latent plus sensible) as high as 1270 cal/cm² day were calculated. Evidence of mesoscale atmospheric cells was found during outbreaks in satellite imagery and in solarimeter data. The development of mesoscale cells was described by correlating fluctuations in the air temperature and absolute humidity records. The cells were found to be best developed when satellite imagery showed that they were of the closed variety. The data suggest that cellular activity matures from open to closed cell types.During the period of greatest development, a representative closed cell was 24–30 km in diameter, moved at 8 m s^-1 over the spar buoy, had a temperature fluctuation of 0.4 °C, an absolute humidity fluctuation of 0.4 g kg^-1, and wind speed and heat flux fluctuations of - 12.5%.A non-dimensional index, formed from the fluctuations of the air temperature and absolute humidity records, was used to indicate the passage of mesoscale atmospheric cells over the measuring site. Using this index as input and the fluctuations in the oceanic parameters at a depth of 20 m as output, it was found that the passage of mature cells was significantly correlated with temperature fluctuations and current fluctuations aligned 25 ° to the right of the wind about 45 min later.