HyMeX-SOP2: The Field Campaign Dedicated to Dense Water Formation in the Northwestern Mediterranean

• DOI: 10.5670/oceanog.2016.94
• Publication Date: 2016-12-12T22:08:54Z
• Authors: Claude Estournel; Pierre Testor; Isabelle Taupier-...; Marie-Noelle Bouin; Laurent Coppola; Pierre Durand; Pascal Conan; Anthony Bosse; Pierre-Etienne Br...; Laurent Beguery; Sophie Belamari; Karine Béranger; Jonathan Beuvier; Denis Bourras; Guylaine Canut; Alexis Doerenbecher; Xavier Durrieu de...; Fabrizio D’Ortenzio; Philippe Drobinski; Véronique Ducrocq; Nadia Fourrié; Hervé Giordani; Loïc Houpert; Laurent Labatut; Cindy Lebeaupin B...; Mathieu Nuret; Louis Prieur; Odile Roussot; Leo Seyfried; Samuel Somot
• Keywords: Atmospheric instability; Deep convection

The HYdrological cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment (HyMeX) Special Observing Period 2 (SOP2, January 27–March 15, 2013) was dedicated to study of dense water formation Gulf Lion northwestern Mediterranean. This paper outlines deep convection winter 2012–2013 and meteorological conditions that produced it. Alternating phases mixing restratification are related periods high low heat losses, respectively. High-resolution, realistic, three-dimensional models essential for assessing intricacy buoyancy fluxes, horizontal advection, convective processes. At submesoscale, vertical velocities resulting from symmetric instabilities density front bounding zone crucial ventilating ocean. Finally, concomitant atmospheric oceanic data extracted comprehensive SOP2 set highlight rapid, coupled evolution boundary layer characteristics during a strong wind event.