Controls on SST in the southern tropical Indian Ocean: results from CINDY2011

SST variability in the Indian Ocean on intraseasonal timescales is highest along a band centred on 8S. This is the location of the thermocline ridge, a region of shallow ocean mixed layer and thermocline that stretches across the width of the Indian Ocean. Our goal is to determine the controls on the intraseasonal variation of SST in the region, and how the presence of the thermocline ridge impacts MJO activity. Here I will present a preliminary analysis of data collected from the R/V Mirai during CINDY2011. We find a variety of behavour of mixing in the surface ocean, with variable winds, freshwater lens and strong diurnal heating all playing a role in shaping the evolution of SST. In addition we find near-inertial motions, both within the surface mixed layer and below, have a significant impact on mixing.