The impact of ocean surface fluxes on a TOGA COARE convective system

Abstract

A two-dimensional cloud-resolving model is linked with a TOGA COARE flux algorithm to examine the impact of the ocean surface fluxes on the development of a tropical squall line and its associated precipitation processes. The model results show that the 12-h total surface rainfall amount in the run excluding the surface fluxes is about 80% of that for the run including surface fluxes (domain-averaged rainfall, 3.4 mm). The model results also indicate that latent heat flux or evaporation from the ocean is the most influential factor among the three fluxes (latent heat, sensible heat, and momentum) for the development of the squall system. The average latent and sensible heat fluxes in the convective (disturbed) region are 60 and 11 W m-2 larger, respectively, than those of the nonconvective (clear) region due to the gust wind speed, a cool pool near the surface, and drier air from downdrafts associated with the convective activity. These results are in good agreement with observations. In addition, sensitivity tests using a simple bulk aerodynamic approximation as well as a Blackadar-type surface flux formulation have predicted much larger latent and sensible heat fluxes than those obtained using the TOGA COARE flux algorithm. Consequently, much more surface rainfall was simulated using a simple aerodynamic approximation or a Blackadar-type surface flux formulation. The results presented here also suggest that a fine vertical resolution (at least in the lowest model grid point) is needed in order to study the interactive processes between the ocean and convection using a cloud-resolving model.