Dry Air Outbreak and Significant Surface Turbulent Heat Loss During Hurricane Ian: Satellite and Saildrone Observations

Yu, Lisan; Chen, Yanxu; Gonzalez, Alex O.; Zhang, Chidong; Foltz, Gregory R.

doi:10.1029/2023GL105583

i

Dry Air Outbreak and Significant Surface Turbulent Heat Loss During Hurricane Ian: Satellite and Saildrone Observations

2023
By Yu, Lisan ; Chen, Yanxu ; Gonzalez, Alex O. ; Zhang, Chidong ; Foltz, Gregory R.
Source: Geophysical Research Letters, 50(23)

Details

Journal Title:

Geophysical Research Letters
Personal Author:

Yu, Lisan ; Chen, Yanxu ; Gonzalez, Alex O. ; Zhang, Chidong ; Foltz, Gregory R.
NOAA Program & Office:

OAR (Oceanic and Atmospheric Research) ; AOML (Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory) ; PMEL (Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory)
Description:

This study investigates an exceptional Gulf of Mexico dry air outbreak triggered by Hurricane Ian and fueled by dry air originating from drought‐stricken mid‐latitudes under a high‐pressure system. The convergence of meteorological forces, combining cooler, dry air with a warmer, humid sea surface and strong winds, intensified latent and sensible heat exchanges, resulting in significant oceanic heat loss. Data from the 2022 Atlantic hurricane Saildrone mission and satellite flux analysis revealed that the outbreak's total turbulent heat fluxes peaked above 850 Wm−2, comparable to or even surpassing the hurricane’s impact. Argo float measurements recorded a 40‐m deepening of the mixed layer and a 1.4°C temperature decrease. In the tropical Atlantic, wind effects outweighed humidity in driving flux variability. Saildrone’s high‐frequency linewise measurements, distinct from satellite’s footprint averages, provide unique insights into wind variability under high wind conditions.
Subjects:
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Geophysics
Keywords:
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Geophysics
Source:

Geophysical Research Letters, 50(23)
DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL105583
ISSN:

0094-8276 ; 1944-8007
Format:

PDF
Publisher:

American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Document Type:

Journal Article
License:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rights Information:

CC BY
Compliance:

Submitted
Download URL:

https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/56639/noaa_56639_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 8.22 MB]
Collection(s):

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha256:ebd7a51b16c90b5fde5150a810ad6c6cd66a7848e0e9afa27acd214c7cd0f77e

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