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HMXL mixed layer depth

Hi all,
Could anyone give me a quick idea of how the HMXL variable is calculated in the CCSM3. Is it just based on a Richardson number criteria or is it more complicated?
Many thanks
Alex
 

njn01

Member
It's more complicated...

See Large et al, JPO, Vol 27 (1997):2418-? The explanation of HMXL starts on page 2418.
 
Hi, njn01 I have read Large's paper. He defined the mixed layer as :The discrete model profile of buoyancy b(k) at depth -z(k) is scanned for the maximum of (b(k)-b(1))*z(k)^(-1), where the first level buoyancy b(1) is equated to the surface buoyance. The mixed layer depth h(m1) is then shallowest depth where the local , interpolated buoyancy gradient equals this maximum. My question is,there are three different mixed-layer depth:HMXL ---- Mixed-Layer DepthXMXL ---- Maximum Mixed-Layer DepthTMXL ---- Minimum Miexed-Layer DepthWhat does the XMXL and TMXL mean? Why does the model generate these two variables? Thanks.Best regards,Yao
 
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