Atmospheric and Oceanic Processes in the Vicinity of an Island Strait

In early February 2008, the mean flow through the Philippines’ Mindoro Strait reversed. The flow was southward through the strait during late January and northward during most of February. The flow reversal coincided with the period between two intensive observing cruises (IOP-08-1 and IOP-08-2) spo...

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Main Authors: Julie Pullen, Arnold L. Gordon, Janet Sprintall, Craig M. Lee, James D. Doyle, Paul May
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Oceanography Society 2011-03-01
Series:Oceanography
Subjects:
Online Access:http://tos.org/oceanography/articles/24-1_pullen.pdf
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author Julie Pullen
Arnold L. Gordon
Janet Sprintall
Craig M. Lee
James D. Doyle
Paul May
author_facet Julie Pullen
Arnold L. Gordon
Janet Sprintall
Craig M. Lee
James D. Doyle
Paul May
author_sort Julie Pullen
collection DOAJ
description In early February 2008, the mean flow through the Philippines’ Mindoro Strait reversed. The flow was southward through the strait during late January and northward during most of February. The flow reversal coincided with the period between two intensive observing cruises (IOP-08-1 and IOP-08-2) sponsored by the Office of Naval Research as part of the Philippines Experiment (PhilEx). Employing high-resolution oceanic and atmospheric models supplemented with in situ ocean and air measurements, we detail the regional and local conditions that influenced this flow reversal. High-resolution air/sea modeling simulations captured the flow reversal and agreed with measured currents from two moorings in the vicinity of Mindoro Strait. A short (January 24–27) easterly monsoon surge and a longer (February 9–16) northerly surge were represented in the model as well as in QuikSCAT and underway wind data taken during IOP-08-2. Mesoscale oceanic dipole eddies off Mindoro and Luzon islands were formed/enhanced and subsequently detached during these wind events. The cyclonic eddy in the dipole pair associated with the easterly surge was opportunistically sampled during the IOP-08-1 cruise and the modeled eddy characteristics were verified using in situ shipboard data. The predominant geostrophic southward flow through the strait was interrupted by a strong and sustained wind-driven (by the northerly surge) flow reversal in early February. Enhanced upper-ocean stratification in winter 2008 due to anomalously high precipitation served to isolate the observed near-surface flow.
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spelling doaj.art-96e534e4a7e54c2cbc1c9d65636e08ef2022-12-22T01:39:20ZengThe Oceanography SocietyOceanography1042-82752011-03-01241112121Atmospheric and Oceanic Processes in the Vicinity of an Island StraitJulie PullenArnold L. GordonJanet SprintallCraig M. LeeJames D. DoylePaul MayIn early February 2008, the mean flow through the Philippines’ Mindoro Strait reversed. The flow was southward through the strait during late January and northward during most of February. The flow reversal coincided with the period between two intensive observing cruises (IOP-08-1 and IOP-08-2) sponsored by the Office of Naval Research as part of the Philippines Experiment (PhilEx). Employing high-resolution oceanic and atmospheric models supplemented with in situ ocean and air measurements, we detail the regional and local conditions that influenced this flow reversal. High-resolution air/sea modeling simulations captured the flow reversal and agreed with measured currents from two moorings in the vicinity of Mindoro Strait. A short (January 24–27) easterly monsoon surge and a longer (February 9–16) northerly surge were represented in the model as well as in QuikSCAT and underway wind data taken during IOP-08-2. Mesoscale oceanic dipole eddies off Mindoro and Luzon islands were formed/enhanced and subsequently detached during these wind events. The cyclonic eddy in the dipole pair associated with the easterly surge was opportunistically sampled during the IOP-08-1 cruise and the modeled eddy characteristics were verified using in situ shipboard data. The predominant geostrophic southward flow through the strait was interrupted by a strong and sustained wind-driven (by the northerly surge) flow reversal in early February. Enhanced upper-ocean stratification in winter 2008 due to anomalously high precipitation served to isolate the observed near-surface flow.http://tos.org/oceanography/articles/24-1_pullen.pdfPhilippine ArchipelagoPhilExMindoro Strait
spellingShingle Julie Pullen
Arnold L. Gordon
Janet Sprintall
Craig M. Lee
James D. Doyle
Paul May
Atmospheric and Oceanic Processes in the Vicinity of an Island Strait
Oceanography
Philippine Archipelago
PhilEx
Mindoro Strait
title Atmospheric and Oceanic Processes in the Vicinity of an Island Strait
title_full Atmospheric and Oceanic Processes in the Vicinity of an Island Strait
title_fullStr Atmospheric and Oceanic Processes in the Vicinity of an Island Strait
title_full_unstemmed Atmospheric and Oceanic Processes in the Vicinity of an Island Strait
title_short Atmospheric and Oceanic Processes in the Vicinity of an Island Strait
title_sort atmospheric and oceanic processes in the vicinity of an island strait
topic Philippine Archipelago
PhilEx
Mindoro Strait
url http://tos.org/oceanography/articles/24-1_pullen.pdf
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