Visualization of Tropical Cyclone-Ocean Interactions

Tropical cyclone (TC) winds vigorously mix the upper ocean, bringing cold water up to the surface and injecting warm water down into the interior. This process can alter ocean heat budget and transport, with implications of large-scale climate variability (such as El Nino) and future climate change projections. The effect of TCs on the ocean are simulated using an ocean model with forced TC winds. Results are compared with a simulation without forcing. Visualization of temperature differences between the two simulations and wind drag are used to analyze the effect of tropical cyclones on the ocean.