The parameterization of vertical turbulent mixing processes in a General Circulation Model of the Tropical Pacific

General circulation models (GCM's) of the equatorial Pacific have some common problems. Equatorial sea surface temperatures are too low and also the characteristic equatorial thermocline structure (rising isotherms in the east and a warm pool in the west) is not simulated very well. Therefore we investigated the effect of turbulent surface mixing on these problems
We find that the inclusion of a surface mixed layer can have a strong effect on both the temperature and the velocity structure of the modelled equatorial Pacific. The modelled SSTs are in better agreement with observational data and a deep warm pool in the western Pacific can develop. We conclude that surface mixing in a coarse resolution GCM of the equatorial Pacific improves its performance.