Simulation of Seasonal Sea Surface Temperature Variations In the North Pacific

Abstract

North Pacific sea surface temperature variations during the cooling season are simulated using climatological surface boat flux data in conjunction with a deepening mixed layer as determined by a convective adjustment model. Climatological oceanic initial conditions are constructed from the mechanical bathy-thermograph file of the National Oceanographic Data Center. The accuracy of the 90-day simulation depends on the accuracy of the initial and boundary conditions and on the ability to model the deepening of the mixed layer. The neglect of horizontal advection is most critical in the western boundary current region. The ability of such a model to accurately simulate SST changes over a large portion of the North Pacific indicates that the climatological surface heat fluxes computed by Clark (1967) are compatible with the decrease in the heat content of the upper, ocean during this period.