Statistical nature of cold fronts within the Gulf of Mexico and their potential influence on OTEC operations

Abstract

This study was undertaken to quantify selected aspects of cold fronts as they penetrate southward into the Gulf of Mexico region. A need arises to statistically define the nature of these cold fronts since the Department of Energy's Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) program is geared for determining the feasibility of utilizing the temperature difference between the tropical ocean surface and depths of approximately 1500 m for the production of power. However, severe winters are known to significantly decrease the normal sea surface temperature by approximately 7.2/sup 0/F as well as cause deepening of the mixed layer (Leetmaa, 1977). With an OTEC plant operating at efficiencies of only 2 to 3 percent, the plant could become marginally operational during the winter months. Upon the passage of a cold front, the sea surface will exchange heat to the atmosphere through the fluxes of latent and sensible heat. Garstang (1969) has shown that these fluxes can increase more than an order of magnitude upon the passage of a moderate cold front. Long term, greater than 25 years, meteorological data from the National Climatic Center was used as the basis for determining the impact of cold fronts in the gulf of Mexico region.more » In particular, surface air temperature and wind direction were analyzed daily during the months of December, January, and February. The drop in temperature as well as the directional wind shift were the criteria for the frontal passage. Surface observation data from Tampa and Key West, Florida were used.« less