Sensitivity of Sea‐Surface Enthalpy and Momentum Fluxes to Sea Spray Microphysics

Sroka, Sydney; Emanuel, Kerry

doi:10.1029/2021jc017774

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Spray begins to form [19], and at yet larger wind speeds may become the rate-limiting process for air-sea fluxes [20,21]. Observations [22] and laboratory measurements [23,24] suggest that the drag coefficient ceases to rise with wind speed and may even decline.…”

Section: | Vmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Surprising Roles of Turbulence in Tropical Cyclone Physics

Emanuel¹,

Velez-Pardo²,

Cronin³

2023

Preprint

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Tropical cyclones have long been known to be powered by turbulent enthalpy fluxes from the ocean surface and retarded by turbulent momentum fluxes into the surface. Here were review evidence that the development and structure of these storms are also partially controlled by turbulence in the outflow near the storm top. Finally, we present new research that shows that tropical cyclone-like, low-aspect-ratio vortices are most likely in systems in which the bottom heat flux is controlled by mechanical turbulence and the top boundary is insulating.

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Section: | Vmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Surprising Roles of Turbulence in Tropical Cyclone Physics

Emanuel¹,

Velez-Pardo²,

Cronin³

2023

Preprint

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“…At wind speeds above about 30 ms −1 , typical of hurricanes, the character of the sea surface begins to change. Spray begins to form [19], and at yet larger wind speeds may become the rate-limiting process for air-sea fluxes [20,21]. Observations [22] and laboratory measurements [23,24] suggest that the drag coefficient ceases to rise with wind speed and may even decline.…”

Section: The Critical Role Of Boundary Layer Turbulence In Tropical C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Surprising Roles of Turbulence in Tropical Cyclone Physics

2023

Self Cite

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Tropical cyclones have long been known to be powered by turbulent enthalpy fluxes from the ocean’s surface and slowed by turbulent momentum fluxes into the surface. Here, we review evidence that the development and structure of these storms are also partially controlled by turbulence in the outflow near the storm’s top. Finally, we present new research that shows that tropical cyclone-like, low-aspect-ratio vortices are most likely in systems in which the bottom heat flux is controlled by mechanical turbulence, and the top boundary is insulating.

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“…While the sea spray is airborne, it exchanges heat with the atmosphere through either molecular or microphysical processes (Andreas, 1998; Andreas & Decosmo, 2002). Moreover, airborne sea spray can alter surface roughness, impacting the momentum exchange between air and sea (Sroka & Emanuel, 2022; Zhang & Song, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of sea spray‐mediated heat fluxes on polar low development

Lin,

Spengler,

Rutgersson

et al. 2024

Quart J Royal Meteoro Soc

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Sea spray, originating from wave breaking under high wind conditions, can significantly affect turbulent heat fluxes at the air–sea interface. Even though polar lows (PLs) can become extreme weather features with gale‐force wind, the impact of sea spray on their development has rarely been investigated and is not considered in operational forecast models. In this study, the impact of sea spray on the development of two PLs over the Barents Sea is studied based on sensitivity experiments with an atmosphere–wave coupled model, where the spray‐mediated heat fluxes are parameterized. The results show that the impact of sea‐spray‐mediated heat fluxes on PL development is sensitive to the surface wind speed. In the case of the stronger PL, the higher surface wind speed results in significantly higher spray‐mediated heat fluxes. Consequently, these spray‐mediated heat fluxes intensify the convection and diabatic heating of the PL, resulting in its intensification. In comparison, the case with a weaker PL experiences less sea spray production and lower spray‐mediated heat fluxes due to its weaker surface wind speeds. Overall, we find that spray‐mediated sensible heat fluxes play an important role in the development of PLs, while the latent heat fluxes induced by sea spray have a relatively minor impact.

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Sensitivity of Sea‐Surface Enthalpy and Momentum Fluxes to Sea Spray Microphysics

Cited by 10 publications

References 64 publications

The Surprising Roles of Turbulence in Tropical Cyclone Physics

The Surprising Roles of Turbulence in Tropical Cyclone Physics

The Surprising Roles of Turbulence in Tropical Cyclone Physics

Impact of sea spray‐mediated heat fluxes on polar low development

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