Variation of the surface buoyancy flux in the Red Sea

Abstract

<span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN" lang="EN">In the Red Sea the haline flux is negative throughout the year and its contribution is secondary compared to thermal flux. At the northern region, from October to March, the thermal buoyancy flux is more negative compared to central and southern regions. As a response to the pressure gradient generated by this negative buoyancy flux in winter, a NNW surface current will be induced. During this time, the winds over the southern Red Sea are from SSE. The two forcing factors; buoyancy flux and the wind stress will reinforce the NNW flow. During summer, from June to September, there is a reverse pattern of buoyancy flux to that of winter i.e. a positive buoyancy flux in the north and negative in the central and southern regions. This buoyancy pattern will generate a pressure gradient towards the south resulting in a SSE flow. During this time the winds over the Red Sea are from NNW. The two forcing; pressure gradient towards the south and the NNW winds will favour each other to induce SSE surface current.

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