Effects of high‐frequency wind sampling on simulated mixed layer depth and upper ocean temperature

Abstract

Effects of high‐frequency wind sampling on a near‐global ocean model are studied by forcing the model with a 12 hourly averaged wind product and its 24 hourly subsamples in separate experiments. The differences in mixed layer depth and sea surface temperature resulting from these experiments are examined, and the underlying physical processes are investigated. The 24 hourly subsampling not only reduces the high‐frequency variability of the wind but also affects the annual mean wind because of aliasing. While the former effect largely impacts mid‐ to high‐latitude oceans, the latter primarily affects tropical and coastal oceans. At mid‐ to high‐latitude regions the subsampled wind results in a shallower mixed layer and higher sea surface temperature because of reduced vertical mixing associated with weaker high‐frequency wind. In tropical and coastal regions, however, the change in upper ocean structure due to the wind subsampling is primarily caused by the difference in advection resulting from aliased annual mean wind, which varies with the subsampling time. The results of the study indicate a need for more frequent sampling of satellite wind measurement and have implications for data assimilation in terms of identifying the nature of model errors.