K. Iwamoto et al., Estimation of surface heat flux based on rawinsonde observation in the southwestern part of the Sea of Okhotsk under ice-covered condition, J METEO JPN, 79(2), 2001, pp. 687-694
Rawinsonde observation was performed in late January through early February
in 1998 around the southwestern part of the Sea of Okhotsk to estimate the
turbulent fluxes of sensible and latent heat over the ice-covered ocean du
ring the winter monsoon. Upstream cold and stable air mass originated from
the Eurasian continent was significantly modified through heat and moisture
supply from warm sea surface with offshore cold-air outbreaks, which conse
quently formed mixed layer characterized by neutral stability over downstre
am areas. Associated with reduction of the top of the mixed layer height th
rough the observational period, estimated heat fluxes also decreased gradua
lly from 210 W m(-2) to 30 W m(-2). These decrease tendencies of the mixed
layer height and estimated heat fluxes may reflect the increase of the insu
lating effect of the sea-ice cover on heat and moisture exchanges between t
he atmosphere and ocean.