Joint ETL/PMEL Ocean and Atmosphere Observations Yield Climate Insights

Contact: Chris Fairall

This month, October 2004, ETL personnel aboard the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown will mark the 10th cruise in a series of joint ETL/PMEL observations in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific as part of a strategy of enhanced observations for NOAA's Climate Variability (CLIVAR) PACS and Climate Observations (CO) Programs. These studies include state-of-the-art surface flux and cloud observations by ETL operating in piggyback mode aboard NOAA vessels servicing the TAO buoys at 95 W and 110 W in the Pacific. PMEL has enhanced the sensor set on the 95 W buoys to allow measurements of all components of the oceanic surface energy budget. The ship-based observations provide both quality assurance and broader interpretation of the buoy measurements.

Using the comprehensive surface, boundary layer, and cloud information from the twice-yearly ETL observations, parameterizations of clear sky radiative fluxes have been developed that allow buoy observations to be used in a quantitative assessment how clouds affect radiative fluxes throughout the annual cycle. Two publications have recently been submitted on the analysis of these data, including characterization of the annual cycle of each term of the surface energy budget between 8 S and 12 N at 95 W and the effects of clouds on the overall energy balance. Intercomparisons with buoy and satellite observations indicate some problems with operational flux products, particularly with clouds in the equatorial region. Comparisons of the net surface heat budget (local forcing) and the time derivative of the mixed-layer heat content indicate the strong role of ocean processes at this location. Recent manuscripts from this project can be found at ftp://ftp.etl.noaa.gov/user/cfairall/EPIC/epicmonitor/pacs_pubs/.

More Information

• NOAA Office of Climate Observation
• PMEL TAO/EPIC Program
• Pan American Climate Studies (PACS) at ETL