Experiments with a simple hurricane-interacting ocean model

The equation developed by Riehl (1963) for a steady, symmetrical hurricane are used to specify a vortex over a fixed depth boundary layer, which interacts with a simple ocean model. Only vertical mixing in the surface layer is included in the oceanic portion of the model. Interaction of the atmosphere and the ocean occurs through the prediction of boundary layer parameters. Bulk aerodynamic equations are used to calculate the air-sea interaction, Comparison of the predicted boundary parameters with observed mature tropical storm shows good agreement for all variables except the specific humidity, which exceeds saturation. Two attempts to correct for this situation have shown that small changes in the surface moisture and temperature values strongly affect the maximum wind speed predicted. The proportion of the water vapor transported out of the top of the boundary layer without adding latent heat to the boundary layer appears to be an important factor in determining the intensity of a steafy-state hurricane. Although the ocean model is quite simple, realistic horizontal ocean temperature profiles with respect to the hurricane center were obtained. However, the magnitude of changes in oceanic heat content and the sea-surface temperatures were smaller than expected in actual hurricanes, since advection and upwelling effects were not included in the ocean model. http://archive.org/details/experimentswiths1094515713 Lieutenant, United States Navy Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.