Modeling the transient response of tropical convection to mesoscale SST variations

Abstract

A cloud-resolving model coupled to a mixed layer ocean with an initial 500-km-wide, +3-K sea surface temperature (SST) patch is used to demonstrate the relationship between tropical mesoscale SST gradients and convection under different wind speeds. On these scales, boundary layer convergence toward hydrostatic low surface pressure is partially responsible for triggering convection, but convection subsequently organizes into cells and squall lines that propagate away from the patch. For strong wind (12 m s-1), enhanced convection is shifted downstream from the patch and consists of relatively small cells that are enhanced from increased moist static energy (MSE) flux over the patch. Convection for weak wind (6 m s-1) develops directly over the patch, merging in larger-scale coherent squall-line systems that propagate away from the patch. Squall lines decay after approximately 1 day, and convection redevelops over the patch region after 2 days. Decreasing patch SST from ocean mixing in the coupled simulations affects the overall strength of the convection, but does not qualitatively alter the convective behavior in comparison with cases with a fixed 3-K SST anomaly. In all cases, increased fluxes of heat and moisture, along with latent heating from shallow convection, initially generate lower pressure over the patch and convergence of the boundary layer winds. Within about 1 day, secondary convective circulations, such as surface cold pools, act to spread the effects of the convection over the model domain and overwhelm the effect of low pressure. SST anomalies (1 and 0.5 K) generate enhanced convection only for winds below 6 m s-1.