Impact of Langmuir turbulence on the thermal response of the ocean surface mixed layer to Super Typhoon Haitang (2005)

AbstractLangmuir turbulence (LT) due to the Craik-Leibovich vortex force had a clear impact on the thermal response of ocean mixed layer to Super Typhoon Haitang 2005 east of the Luzon Strait. This impact is investigated using a 3D wave-current coupled framework consisting of the Princeton Ocean Model with the generalized coordinate system (POMgcs) and the Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) wave model. The Coriolis-Stokes forcing (CSF), the Craik-Leibovich vortex forcing (CLVF) and the second-moment closure model of LT developed by Harcourt (2015) are introduced into the circulation model. The coupled system is able to reproduce the upper-ocean temperature and surface mixed-layer depth reasonably well during the forced stage of the super typhoon. The typhoon-induced “cold suction” and “heat pump” processes are significantly affected by LT. Local LT mixing strengthened the sea surface cooling by more than 0.5°C in most typhoon affected regions. Besides LT, Lagrangian advection of temperature also modulates ...