Sea surface salinity reduction in the upper ocean induced by tropical cyclones

Most of the previous investigations of the ocean response to tropical cyclones have been concerned with the temperature and current velocity changes in the upper ocean. However, tropical cyclones also generate substantial reduction of the sea surface salinity (SSS) due to heavy precipitation. The effects of SSS changes on the upper ocean dynamics are less understood. In this study we investigate the SSS wakes produced by Typhoons Ed, Flo, and Yancy in 1990 based on the measurements obtained by four USSR ships conducted during the TCM-90 field experiment. The SSS responses in these cases are also simulated using the Princeton Ocean Model. The results of this study will be presented and discussed during the conference.