Mechanisms regulating sea-surface temperatures and deep convection in the tropics

Citation
Yc. Sud et al., Mechanisms regulating sea-surface temperatures and deep convection in the tropics, GEOPHYS R L, 26(8), 1999, pp. 1019-1022
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
Earth Sciences
Journal title
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
ISSN journal
00948276 → ACNP
Volume
26
Issue
8
Year of publication
1999
Pages
1019 - 1022
Database
ISI
SICI code
0094-8276(19990415)26:8<1019:MRSTAD>2.0.ZU;2-E
Abstract
Scientific basis for the emergence of deep convection in the tropics at or above 28 degrees C sea-surface temperature (SST), and its proximity to the highest observed SST of about 30 degrees C, is explained from first princip les of moist convection and TOGA-COARE data. Our calculations show that SST of 28-29 degrees C is needed for charging the cloud-base airmass with the required moist static energy for clouds to reach the upper troposphere (i.e ., 200 hPa). Besides reducing solar irradiation by cloud-cover, moist conve ction also produces cool and dry downdrafts, which promote oceanic cooling by increased sensible and latent heat fluxes at the surface. Consequently, the tropical ocean seesaws between the states of net energy absorber before , and net energy supplier after, the deep moist convection, which causes th e SST to vacillate between 28 degrees and 30 degrees C. While dynamics of t he large-scale circulation embodying the easterly waves and Madden-Julian O scillations (MJOs) modulate moist convection, we show that the quasi-statio nary vertical profile of moist static energy of the tropics is the ultimate cause of the upper limit on tropical SSTs.