Search

The out-of-phase inter-decadal co-variability between summer (JJA) sea ice extent (SIE) in the Kara Sea (KS) sector of the Arctic Ocean and Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) is found to be weakened during the recent decades with rapidly declining SIE in the KS (since the 1980s). However, SIE in the KS and frequency of ISMR extremes are found to have a consistent out-of-phase relation during the rapidly declining SIE periods. A possible physical mechanism for the relation between the late-season ISMR extremes and summer SIE in the KS is suggested, focusing on the recent years since the 1980s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The out-of-phase inter-decadal co-variability between summer (JJA) sea ice extent (SIE) in the Kara Sea (KS) sector of the Arctic Ocean and Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) is found to be weakened during the recent decades with rapidly declining SIE in the KS (since the 1980s). However, SIE in the KS and frequency of ISMR extremes are found to have a consistent out-of-phase relation during the rapidly declining SIE periods. A possible physical mechanism for the relation between the late-season ISMR extremes and summer SIE in the KS is suggested, focusing on the recent years since the 1980s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Seychelles-Chagos Thermocline Ridge (SCTR) is a key region which plays a major role in various regional climatic processes at all time scales. The vertical mixing at the base of mixed layer may be climatically important at this region, where a shallow thermocline and highly variable wind activity exists. In this study, we provide evidence of strong vertical mixing at the base of mixed layer and thermocline associated with near-inertial waves (NIWs) using the microstructure profiler time series data during boreal summer 2014. During the study, it was observed that the surface turbulent layer was mostly confined in the mixed layer with turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate of the order of 10−6 Wkg−1. Elevated dissipation rate in the order of 10−7–10−6 Wkg−1 was also observed at the base of the mixed layer and thermocline (60–100 m) during the entire period of observation. The estimated vertical diffusive heat flux across the mixed layer base (100 Wm−2) was strong and a moderate downward flux (~ 30 Wm−2) was noticed in the thermocline region. The analysis showed that the strong NIW triggered by a strong wind event were responsible for the high dissipation rate at the base of mixed layer and at deeper depths. The higher-mode NIW create elevated vertical shear at the base the mixed layer, which leads to the enhanced mixing. The study also showed the possible role of internal tides on the subsurface mixing in the region. The NIW-induced mixing may have important role on the mixed layer heat balance in a climatically active SCTR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount and spatial extent of Greenland Sea (GS) ice are primarily controlled by the sea ice export across the Fram Strait (FS) and by local seasonal sea ice formation, melting, and sea ice dynamics. In this study, using satellite passive microwave sea ice observations, atmospheric and a coupled ocean-sea ice reanalysis system, TOPAZ4, we show that both the atmospheric and oceanic circulation in the Nordic Seas (NS) act in tandem to explain the SIC variability in the south-western GS. Northerly wind anomalies associated with anomalously low sea level pressure (SLP) over the NS reduce the sea ice export in the south-western GS due to westward Ekman drift of sea ice. On the other hand, the positive wind stress curl strengthens the cyclonic Greenland Sea Gyre (GSG) circulation in the central GS. An intensified GSG circulation may result in stronger Ekman divergence of surface cold and fresh waters away from the south-western GS. Both of these processes can reduce the freshwater content and weaken the upper-ocean stratification in the south-western GS. At the same time, warm and saline Atlantic Water (AW) anomalies are recirculated from the FS region to the south-western GS by a stronger GSG circulation. Under weakly stratified conditions, enhanced vertical mixing of these subsurface AW anomalies can warm the surface waters and inhibit new sea ice formation, further reducing the SIC in the south-western GS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Ocean Data Assimilation System configured at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS-GODAS) has been forced with satellite-based QuikSCAT gridded winds (QSCAT) to obtain accurate operational ocean analysis, particularly ocean currents, as compared to the default National Centers for Environmental Prediction-Reanalysis 2 (NCEP-R2) wind forcing in the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO). However, after termination of QuikSCAT mission in November 2009, an alternate wind forcing was required for providing operational ocean analysis. The present study examines the suitability of an Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT)-based daily gridded wind product (DASCAT) for the INCOIS-GODAS. Experiments were performed by forcing INCOIS-GODAS with three different momentum fluxes derived from QSCAT, DASCAT, and NCEP-R2 wind products. Simulated ocean currents from these experiments are validated with respect to in situ current measurements from Research Moored Array for African-Asian-Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction (RAMA) buoys. Results suggested that the quality of simulated ocean currents from the daily DASCAT forcing is on par with the QSCAT forcing in the TIO, except for the equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO). Although QSCAT-forced current simulations are slightly better than DASCAT-forced simulations, both QSCAT and DASCAT provide a much better result than NCEP-R2. Our analysis shows that the better simulations of currents over the EIO, with the QSCAT forcing compared to DASCAT forcing, can be attributed to the smoothening of the wind field in the DASCAT compared to QSCAT. The impact of the error in the DASCAT on ocean current analysis is, however, limited to local scales and upper 100 m of water column only. Thus, our study demonstrated that, in the absence of QSCAT, DASCAT is a better alternative for INCOIS-GODAS ocean analysis than the NCEP-R2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea surface temperature (SST) variability over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) has the potential to trigger deep moist convection thereby affecting the active-break cycle of the monsoons. Normally, during the summer monsoon season, SST over the BoB is observed to be greater than 28°C which is a pre-requisite for convection. During June 2009, satellite observations revealed an anomalous basin-wide cooling and the month is noted for reduced rainfall over the Indian subcontinent. In this study, we analyze the likely mechanisms of this cooling event using both satellite and moored buoy observations. Observations showed deepened mixed layer, stronger surface currents, and enhanced heat loss at the surface in the BoB. Mixed layer heat balance analysis is carried out to resolve the relative importance of various processes involved. We show that the cooling event is primarily induced by the heat losses at the surface resulting from the strong wind anomalies, and advection and vertical entrainment playing secondary roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]