01-05 December 2025
INCOIS, Hyderabad, India.
| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-04-0297 |
| Title of Abstract | Impact of humidity and wind forcing in an Indian Ocean Regional model simulation |
| Authors | Raheema Rahman*, Hasibur Rahaman |
| Organisation | INCOIS |
| Address | INCOIS Hyderabad, Telengana, India Pincode: 500090 E-mail: r.rahman-rf@incois.gov.in |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Oral |
| Abstract | Bulk formulas are widely used to estimate turbulent surface fluxes over global oceans for weather forecasting, climate models, ocean models, and the generation of observed global surface flux data sets. These formulas parameterize turbulent fluxes using near-surface atmospheric and oceanic state variables, but their computation is subject to large uncertainties arising from errors in input meteorological variables and algorithm types. Stand-alone forced ocean models typically use near-surface atmospheric variables from reanalysis or corrected reanalysis products. Since sea surface temperature (SST) is strongly influenced by air⿿sea flux exchanges, especially net heat flux, accurate computation of turbulent fluxes is essential to capture realistic seasonal, intra-seasonal, and interannual SST variability in the Indian Ocean. This study evaluates the sensitivity of a nested regional Indian Ocean model to near-surface humidity and wind forcing. Two sets of experiments were performed. In the first, CORE-II interannual atmospheric forcing fields were used as a control, while near-surface humidity was replaced with OAFlux data; six-year simulations (2000⿿2006) showed significant improvements in mean and daily SST variations when compared with TRMM Microwave Imager observations. In the second, CORE-II winds were replaced with QuikSCAT satellite wind fields; four-year simulations (2003⿿2006) demonstrated substantial improvements in both SST and surface current simulations, with reduced root mean square errors over the equatorial Indian Ocean. Together, these results highlight the critical role of improved near-surface humidity and wind forcing in enhancing flux computations and in better reproducing SST and circulation features in the north Indian Ocean. |
| Are you part of IIOE-2 endorsed project | no |
| Keywords | Indian Ocean, Ocean modeling, near surface humidity, wind forcing |
| For Awards | no |