Contributions of Surface Sensible Heat Fluxes to Tropical Cyclone. Part II: The Sea Spray Processes

Abstract

Abstract In Part II of this study, the roles of surface sensible heat fluxes (SHX) in tropical cyclones (TCs) are further investigated in the context of sea spray processes. Results show that the sea spray evaporation is favorable for the TC intensification through enhancing the surface latent heat fluxes (LHX). Unlike the results in Part I, the removal of SHX has led to a somewhat weaker TC by inclusion of sea spray. This is because the spray-mediated latent heat fluxes are simultaneously diminished after cutting down the SHX. Without the warming of SHX from the ocean, the surface air becomes cooler and thereby closer to saturation, which substantially hinders the evaporation of sea spray droplets. Therefore, the SHX are instrumental for sustaining the release of latent heat fluxes by sea spray evaporation. In the experiments of Part I and this study, the reduced total surface enthalpy fluxes as a result of the removal of SHX do not necessarily result in weakened TCs, while the larger LHX basically correspond to stronger TCs. This suggests that the TC intensity is largely dependent on the LHX rather than the total surface enthalpy fluxes, although the latter is generally dominated by the former. Relative roles of thermal and moisture effects in radially elevating the surface equivalent potential temperature θe are also compared. The contributions of thermal effects account for 30%–35% of the total changes in θe for mature TCs, no matter whether SHX from the ocean are included. This further implies that the SHX contribute insignificantly to the spinup of a TC.