Seasonal Variability of Mixed Layer Depth in the Red Sea

Mixed layer depth (MLD), one of the most important oceanographic parameters, has been investigated in the Red Sea using in situ profiles. A monthly climatology record of MLD in the Red Sea has been derived based on in situ temperature profiles. Deep MLDs have been observed during the winter and shallow during summer. Transitional MLDs have been found during the spring and fall. Deeper MLDs were observed in the northern end of the Red Sea associated with the winter cooling of the high-saline surface waters. Further, the region north of 19 °N experienced deep mixed layers, irrespective of the season. Wind stress plays a major role in the MLD variability of the southern Red Sea, while net heat flux and evaporation are the dominating factors in the central and northern Red Sea regions. Tokar gap winds and ocean eddies significantly changes the MLD structure in the Red sea.