Detailed Cloud Microphysics Simulation for Investigation into the Impact of Sea Spray on Air-Sea Heat Flux

Abstract

This paper reports on the development of a numerical weather simulation model combined with a detailed spectral-bin cloud microphysics model that can explicitly consider the droplet motion and droplet-atmosphere interactions of sea spray. Sea spray is composed of liquid droplets ejected from the sea surface into the evaporation layer, where it enhances heat as well as momentum exchanges between the atmosphere and the sea. In our study, we analyzed the results of idealized 3D simulations to investigate the impact of sea spray on latent heat exchanges and their consequent impact on boundary layer cloud development. The results show that sea spray enhances the latent heat flux by up to 62 % for the surveyed 10m-height velocities, which ranged from 12 to 42 m/s. They also show that sea spray moistening significantly enhances boundary layer cloud development.