Satellite Data Analysis of the Upper Ocean Response to Hurricane Dorian (2019) in the North Atlantic Ocean

A suite of satellite-derived data and high-resolution ocean model outputs were used to study the response of the upper ocean to Hurricane Dorian (2019), which impacted the Bahamas and the eastern coast of the United States in August and September of 2019. We observe enhanced upwelling that in conjunction with surface cooling from precipitation led to an approximate 4 degrees C drop in sea surface temperature (SST) along and slightly ahead of Dorian's path. The upwelling also increased the local coastal chlorophyll-a levels. Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) sea surface salinity (SSS) shows a clear eye and eye wall structure on September 4 (the day of peak intensity), which has never been seen due to the recency of the SMAP satellite's launch and the strength of Hurricane Dorian (2019). The initial forecast path of Hurricane Dorian was set to travel northward through central Florida; however, we can see from satellite observations that a high-pressure system in the north Atlantic redirects the path of the hurricane offshore. We show a clear upper ocean response to Hurricane Dorian using satellite observations and hope that this multiparameter approach can improve the current quantification of air-sea interactions during Category 5 conditions.

Automated summary

This study used satellite data and model outputs to investigate the impact of Hurricane Dorian on the upper ocean. The results showed that Dorian caused a drop in sea surface temperature and an increase in coastal chlorophyll-a levels. Additionally, the satellite observations revealed a change in the hurricane's path.