Abstract
Currents and atmospheric parameters were measured in the East China Sea in February, 1975, as part of the AMTEX'75 program. These data were used to describe outbreaks of cold continental air over this warm and shallow sea. Particular emphasis was placed on describing the structure of mesoscale atmospheric cells embedded in the outbreaks and the effects of these cells on the water column.
Two cold air outbreaks were recorded. Heat fluxes (latent plus sensible) as high as 1270 cal/cm2 day were calculated. Evidence of mesoscale atmospheric cells was found during outbreaks in satellite imagery and in solarimeter data. The development of mesoscale cells was described by correlating fluctuations in the air temperature and absolute humidity records. The cells were found to be best developed when satellite imagery showed that they were of the closed variety. The data suggest that cellular activity matures from open to closed cell types.
During the period of greatest development, a representative closed cell was 24–30 km in diameter, moved at 8 m s-1 over the spar buoy, had a temperature fluctuation of 0.4 °C, an absolute humidity fluctuation of 0.4 g kg-1, and wind speed and heat flux fluctuations of ∼- 12.5%.
A non-dimensional index, formed from the fluctuations of the air temperature and absolute humidity records, was used to indicate the passage of mesoscale atmospheric cells over the measuring site. Using this index as input and the fluctuations in the oceanic parameters at a depth of 20 m as output, it was found that the passage of mature cells was significantly correlated with temperature fluctuations and current fluctuations aligned 25 ° to the right of the wind about 45 min later.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agee, E. M., Chen, T. S., and Dowell, K. E.: 1973, ‘A Review of Mesoscale Cellular Convection’, Bull. Ame. Meteorol. Soc. 54, 1004–1012.
Box, G. E. P. and Jenkins, G. M.: 1970, Time Series Analysis, Forecasting and Control, Holden-Day, San Francisco, 553 pp.
Bunker, A. F.: 1972, ‘Wintertime Interactions of the Atmosphere with the Mediterranean Sea’, J. Phys. Oceanogr. 2, 225–238.
Burt, W. V. and Agee, E. M.: 1977, ‘Buoy and Satellite Evidence of Mesoscale Cellular Convection During AMTEX-75’, Boundar-Layer Meteorol. 12, 3–24.
Foster, T. D.: 1971, ‘Intermittent Convection’, Geophys. Fluid Dynam. 2, 201–217.
Friehe, C. A. and Schmitt, K. F.: 1976, ‘Parameterization of Air-Sea Interface Fluxes of Sensible Heat and Moisture by the Bulk Aerodynamic Formulas’, J. Phys. Oceanogr. 6, 801–809.
Hubert, L. F.: 1966, ‘Mesoscale Cellular Convection’, Meteorological Satellite Laboratory report No. 37, Washington, D.C., 86 pp.
Ichiye, T. and Zipser, E. J.: 1967, ‘An Example of Heat Transfer at the Air-Sea Boundary over the Gulf Stream of a Cold Air Outbreak’, J. Meteorol. Soc. Japan 45, 261–270.
Jensen, N. O. and Agee, E. M.: 1978, ‘Vortex Cloud Street During AMTEX-75’, Tellus 30, 517–523.
Lenschow, D. H.: 1972, ‘The Air Mass Transformation Experiment (AMTEX)’, Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc. 53, 353–357.
Lenschow, D. H. and Agee, E. M.: 1974, ‘The Air Mass Transformation Experiment (AMTEX): Preliminary Results from 1974 and Plans for 1975’. Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc. 55, 1228–1235.
Malkus, J. S.: 1962, ‘Large Scale Interactions’, in M. N. Hill (ed.), The Sea, Pergamon Press, Fairview, NY, Vol. 1, Chapter 4, pp. 88–294.
Manabe, S.: 1957, ‘On the Modification of Air-Mass over the Japan Sea When the Outburst of Cold Air Predominates’, J. Meteorol. Soc. Japan 35, 311–326.
Niino, H. and Emery, K. O.: 1961, ‘Sediments of Shallow Portions of East China and South China Sea’, Geolog. Soc. Am. Bull. 72, 731–762.
Nowlin, W. D. Jr. and Parker, C. A.: 1974, ‘Effects of a Cold-Air Outbreak on Shelf Waters of the Gulf of Mexico’, J. Phys. Oceanogr. 4, 467–486.
Robinson, A.: 1973, ‘Spar Buoy’, Exposure 1, 12–13.
Stommel, H., Vorhis, A., and Webb, D.: 1971, ‘Submarine Clouds in the Deep Ocean’, American Scientist 59, 716–722.
Trump, C. L.: 1976, ‘Effects of Mesoscale Atmospheric Convection Cells on the Waters of the East China Sea’, Ph. D. Thesis, Oregon State University, 124 pp.
Trump, C. L. and Burt, W. V.: 1981, ‘Wintertime Current Meter Measurements from the East China Sea’, J. Phys. Oceanogr. 11, 1300–1306.
Worthington L. V.: 1971, ‘Anticyclogenesis of the Oceans as a Result of Outbreaks of Continental Polar Air’, Vol. 1, Studies in Physical Oceanography, Gordon Breach, New York, p. 169–178.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Trump, C.L., Neshyba, S.J. & Burt, W.V. Effects of mesoscale atmospheric convection cells on the waters of the East China Sea. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 24, 15–34 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121797
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121797