Parameterizations of Sea-Spray Impact on the Air–Sea Momentum and Heat Fluxes

Abstract

Abstract This paper focuses on parameterizing the effect of sea spray at hurricane-strength winds on the momentum and heat fluxes in weather prediction models using the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (a common framework for the parameterizations of air–sea fluxes). In this scheme, the mass-density effect of sea spray is considered as an additional modification to the stratification of the near-surface profiles of wind, temperature, and moisture in the marine surface boundary layer (MSBL). The overall impact of sea-spray droplets on the mean profiles of wind, temperature, and moisture depends on the wind speed at the level of sea-spray generation. As the wind speed increases, the mean droplet size and the mass flux of sea-spray increase, rendering an increase of stability in the MSBL and the leveling-off of the surface drag. Sea spray also tends to increase the total air–sea sensible and latent heat fluxes at high winds. Results from sensitivity testing of the scheme in a numerical weather prediction model for an idealized case of hurricane intensification are presented along with a dynamical interpretation of the impact of the parameterized sea-spray physics on the structure of the hurricane boundary layer.