Ocean frontal formation due to shallow water cooling effects as observed by satellite and simulated by a numerical model

During the winter season, infrared data from meteorological satellites reveal the outline of the Little Bahama Bank and the Great Bahama Bank as cold areas conforming almost precisely to the bathymetry as outlined by the 20 m contour line. During the summer season the effect is reversed and the Banks appear as warm areas, distinct from the deeper water that surrounds them. This paper investigates the winter season phenomena by using a one‐dimensional numerical model to calculate the heat and salt budgets for a variety of atmospheric scenarios including a sudden air temperature drop over the banks as a result of cold frontal passage. It is found that such an event results in shallow water cooling producing distinct temperature fronts and mild salinity fronts. Increased wind speed, under low humidity conditions, maximizes the effect.