Extended Abstract (700K)3.2
The Performance of Sea Surface Turbulent Flux Algorithms Over the Global Oceans
Michael A. Brunke, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ; and C. W. Fairall, X. Zeng, L. Eymard, and J. A. Curry
Bulk aerodynamic algorithms are used in weather forecasting and climate models to compute ocean surface turbulent fluxes and in the development of global surface flux data sets. Direct turbulent flux measurements from 12 ship cruises over the global oceans from about 5°S to 60°N are used to evaluate and rank 12 such algorithms. The four least problematic of these algorithms based upon their overall ranking as well as the four most problematic are identified along with possible explanations. Sensitivity tests of this ranking scheme show that it is not substantially affected by the use of the average of covariance and inertial-dissipation flux measurements or by taking into consideration measurement uncertainties. To understand these rankings, the differences between computed and observed fluxes are further evaluated as a function of surface meteorological conditions. These results will be presented at the Conference.
Session 3, Part 1: Air-sea Fluxes and interfacial processes
Monday, 10 February 2003, 4:00 PM-5:30 PM
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