Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-318
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-318
17 Mar 2023
 | 17 Mar 2023
Status: this preprint is open for discussion.

Variability of coastal downwelling circulation in response to high-resolution regional atmospheric forcing off the Pearl River Estuary

Wenfeng Lai and Jianping Gan

Abstract. We investigated the variabilities of coastal circulation and dynamics in response to spatiotemporally variable high-resolution atmospheric forcing off the Pearl River Estuary during the downwelling wind. Our investigation focused on the processes and dynamics of coastal downwelling circulation in response to variable atmospheric forcing of (1) single station observation, (2) global reanalysis data, and (3) a high-resolution regional atmospheric model. We found that the high-resolution atmospheric model significantly improved the representations of the near-surface wind and air temperature, and the ocean model driven by the high-resolution and spatially variable atmospheric forcing improved the circulation and associated hydrographic properties in the coastal ocean. Momentum and vorticity analyses further revealed that the cross-isobath water exchange was primarily governed by the along-isobath pressure gradient force (PGF), which was influenced by different components of the atmospheric forcing. The spatial-temporal variability of high-resolution wind forcing determined the strength and structure of coastal circulation, and improved estimates of cross-isobath transport and the associated PGF by refining the net stress curl and nonlinear advection of relative vorticity in the simulation. The high-resolution heat forcing can greatly improve the sea surface temperature simulation and adjust the nonlinear advection of relative vorticity, resulting in changes in cross-isobath transport.

Wenfeng Lai and Jianping Gan

Status: open (until 12 May 2023)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse

Wenfeng Lai and Jianping Gan

Wenfeng Lai and Jianping Gan

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Short summary
Our study shows high-resolution regional atmospheric model improves near-surface wind and air temperature simulation, resulting in improved circulation and hydrographic simulations in the Pearl River Estuary. High-resolution wind forcing is critical for coastal circulation and cross-isobath transport, while high-resolution heat forcing greatly improves sea surface temperature simulation. High-resolution atmospheric forcing is essential for accurately simulating dynamic prcoess of coastal ocean.