Latent Heat Flux over the Global Ocean

Though it was difficult of globally monitor latent heat flux aver the ocean for many years, the situation is rapidly changing by the use of satellite data. Since a bulk formula is used to estimate turbulent heat flux using satellite data, we need wind speed, sea surface temperature and specific humidity data. However, it is not easy to accurately estimate specific humidity using satellite data. Now several algorithms for estimating specific humidity have been proposed and applied to construct latent heat flux data sets. Latent heat flux data sets derived from satellite data such as J-OFURO, HOAPS and GSSTF are available at present. Since the algorithm and used satellite data are not the same between them. the characteristics of each data set may be different. Therefore, it is important to clarify the difference between each data set and investigate the cause of the difference in latent heat flux estimates. In this paper we summarize the present state of the art with regard to the turbulent heat flux estimation by using satellite data. Also we present the comparison results of latent heat flux fields including not only satellite-derived flux fields but also analysis fields.