Mixed Layer Variability in Northern Arabian Sea as Detected by an Argo Float

Northern Arabian Sea (NAS) between $17^{\circ}N-20.5^{\circ}N$ and $59^{\circ}E-69^{\circ}E$ was observed by using Argo float daily data fur about 9 months, from April 2002 through December 2002. Results showed that during April - May mixed layer shoaled due to light winds, clear sky and intense solar insolation. Sea surface temperature (SST) rose by $2.3^{\circ}C$ and ocean gained an average of 99.8 $Wm^{-2}$. Mixed layer reached maximum depth of about 71 m during June - September owing to strong winds and cloudy skies. Ocean gained abnormally low $\sim18Wm^{-2}$ and SST dropped by $3.4^{\circ}C$. During the inter monsoon period, October, mixed layer shoaled and maintained a depth of 20 to 30 m. November - December was accompanied by moderate winds, dropping of SST by $1.5^{\circ}C$ and ocean lost an average of 52.5 $Wm^{-2}$. Mixed layer deepened gradually reaching a maximum of 62 m in December. Analysis of surface fluxes and winds suggested that winds and fluxes are the dominating factors causing deepening of mixed layer during summer and winter monsoon periods respectively. Relatively big]h correlation between MLD, net heat flux and wind speed revealed that short term variability of MLD coincided well with short term variability of surface forcing.