Comparisons of Net Heat Flux Data Sets Over the Western North Pacific

Abstract

This study focuses on the intercomparisons of 22 net heat flux (NHF) data sets in terms of mean, linear trend, and interannual variability during 1993-2007 over the western North Pacific and its surrounding waters. The data sets can be categorized into the dominant group that shares common interannual variabilities and the outcasts that exhibit exceptional variability. Based on our analysis, we provide guidelines for users to choose reliable NHF data sets in the study regions. In addition, many NHF data sets tend to represent similar interannual variabilities in the marginal sea regions, whereas the opposite is true in open oceans where interannual variability is weak. Also, we find an evidence showing the mean biases of the NHF are mainly due to the difference in calculation of the latent heat flux. The aforementioned information will be useful for a wide community of scientists who are interested in using heat flux data.