On the Potential Optical Signature of Convective Turbulence over the West Florida Shelf

Abstract

Atmospheric cold front propagation across the northern Gulf of Mexico is characterized by elevated surface wind velocities and a ~10–15 °C drop in surface air temperatures. These meteorological conditions result in significant heat energy losses from the surface ocean to the overlying atmosphere. These seasonally recurring cold-air outbreak events may penetrate the southern portion of the West Florida continental shelf and initiate turbulent and convective overturn of the water column. Examination of true color images derived from ocean-viewing, satellite-based radiometer data reveals coincident and substantial surface water discolorations that are optically similar to smaller-scale “whiting events,” despite the regional-scale extent of the observed phenomenon (>25,000 km2). Coupled air–sea numerical simulations suggest the surface water discoloration occurs and is sustained where the entire water column is dynamically unstable. The simulation results indicate significant density (σt) inversions between the surface and bottom waters. Thus, the combined numerical model and remote sensing analysis suggest that convective turbulence may be contributing to the sustained ventilation of bottom waters containing a high concentration of suspended particulates. High-temporal resolution true color images rendered from the GOES-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) data appear to support the surface water discoloration’s turbulent-driven nature.