Annual and Semiannual Cycles of Diurnal Warming of Sea Surface Temperature in the South China Sea. Issue 8 (19th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, Yunwei; Wang, Guihua; Chen, Changlin; Ling, Zheng
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 123:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 5797
• Page End: 5807
• Publication Date: 2018-08-19
• Subjects: diurnal warming of sea surface temperature -- annual cycle -- semiannual cycle -- South China Sea; Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1029/2017JC013657
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9275

Abstract

Abstract: Based on the SeaFlux data set, an empirical parameterization, and a one‐dimensional ocean mixed‐layer model, the annual and semiannual cycles of diurnal warming of sea surface temperature (dSST) in the South China Sea (SCS) are examined. The amplitude of the annual cycle is greater than 0.1 °C, and the annual cycle reaches its maxima in April/May/June in most areas of the SCS, while the amplitude of the semiannual cycle of dSST increases from north to south with the month of its maxima changing from February to March along a northwest‐southeast axis. Relative to the amplitude of the annual cycle of dSST, the semiannual cycle is of much smaller amplitude north of 17°N, but of comparable or larger amplitude south of 17°N. The annual (semiannual) cycle of wind speed is the most important factor for the annual (semiannual) cycle of dSST. The annual (semiannual) cycle of wind speed drives the annual (semiannual) cycle of dSST primarily by influencing oceanic vertical turbulent mixing. Aside from these basin‐scale features, the dSST annual and semiannual cycles demonstrate robust mesoscale features in the lees of hills/islands as a result of sheltering from the monsoon. Plain Language Summary: Based on the SeaFlux data set, an empirical parameterization, and a one‐dimensional ocean mixed‐layer model, the annual and semiannual cycles of diurnal warming of sea surface temperature (dSST) in the South China Sea are examined. The annual cycle of diurnal warming is relatively large in the whole South China Sea, while semiannual cycle increases from north to south. Relative to the amplitude of the annual cycle of dSST, the semiannual cycle is of much smaller amplitude north of 17°N, but of comparable or larger amplitude south of 17°N. Aside from these basin‐scale features, the dSST annual and semiannual cycles demonstrate robust mesoscale features in the lees of hills/islands. The annual (semiannual) cycle of wind speed is the most important factor for the annual (semiannual) cycle of dSST. The annual (semiannual) cycle of wind speed drives the annual (semiannual) cycle of dSST primarily by influencing oceanic vertical turbulent mixing. Key Points: Annual cycle of diurnal warming is relatively large in the whole SCS, while semiannual cycle increases from north to south Annual (semiannual) cycle of wind speed is the most important factor for the annual (semiannual) cycle of diurnal warming Annual and semiannual cycles demonstrate robust mesoscale features in the lees of hills/islands as a result of sheltering from the monsoon