Coupled atmosphere‐ocean‐wave simulations of a storm event over the Gulf of Lion and Balearic Sea

• DOI: 10.1029/2012jc007924
• Publication Date: 2012-08-13T08:15:11Z
• Authors: Lionel Renault; Jacopo Chiggiato; John C. Warner; Marta Gomez; Guillermo Vizoso; Joaquin Tintoré
• Keywords: Cyclogenesis; Storm track; Atmospheric models

The coastal areas of the North‐Western Mediterranean Sea are one most challenging places for ocean forecasting. This region is exposed to severe storms events that short duration. During these events, significant air‐sea interactions, strong winds and large sea‐state can have catastrophic consequences in areas. To investigate interactions oceanic response such we implemented Coupled Ocean‐Atmosphere‐Wave‐Sediment Transport Modeling System simulating a storm occurred May 2010. this event, wind speed reached up 25 m.s −1 inducing sea surface cooling (up 2°C) over Gulf Lion (GoL) along track, generating waves with height 6 m. It shown associated cyclogenesis between Balearic Islands GoL, relatively well reproduced by coupled system. A heat budget analysis showed vertical mixing was major contributor tendency track GoL where turbulent fluxes also played an important role. Sensitivity experiments on ocean‐atmosphere coupling suggested system sensitive momentum flux parameterization as air‐wave coupling. Comparisons available atmospheric observations use fully provides skillful simulation, illustrating benefit using ocean‐atmosphere–wave model assessment events.