Air-Sea Heat Flux Variability in the Southeast Indian Ocean and Its Relation With Ningaloo Niño

This study reveals that latent heat flux anomalies play a dominant role in modulating sea surface temperature (SST) variability during the Ningaloo Niño, particularly during its recovery phase. Large negative latent heat flux anomalies contribute significantly to SST cooling, driven by high SST and strong winds. However, uncertainties in latent heat flux estimates vary depending on the phase of the Ningaloo Niño, with discrepancies arising from differences in bulk flux algorithms and atmospheric variables like wind speed and air specific humidity. The research used multiple datasets to investigate air-sea heat flux variability, highlighting the importance of high-resolution SST data to reduce errors during onset and peak phases.

Feng, X., & Shinoda, T. (2019). Air-Sea Heat Flux Variability in the Southeast Indian Ocean and Its Relation With Ningaloo Niño. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00266