Trends and variability of the atmosphere-ocean turbulent heat flux in the extratropical Southern Hemisphere.

ABSTRACT: Ocean-atmosphere interactions are complex and extend over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. Among the key components of these interactions is the ocean-atmosphere (latent and sensible) turbulent heat flux (THF). Here, based on daily optimally-interpolated data from the extratropical Southern Hemisphere (south of 30°S) from a period 1985-2013, we analyze short-term variability and trends in THF and variables influencing it. It is shown that, in spite of climate-change-related positive trends in surface wind speeds over large parts of the Southern Ocean, the range of the THF variability has been decreasing due to decreasing air-water temperature and humidity differences. Occurrence frequency of very large heat flux events decreased accordingly. Remarkably, spectral analysis of the

SUBMITTER: Herman A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4598877 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature