Seasonal to Intraseasonal Variability of the Upper Ocean Mixed Layer in the Gulf of Oman

High-resolution underwater glider data collected in the Gulf of Oman (2015-16), combined with reanalysis datasets, describe spatial and temporal variability mixed layer during winter spring. We assess effect surface forcing submesoscale processes on upper ocean buoyancy their effects stratification. Episodic strong dry wind events from northwest (Shamals) drive rapid latent heat loss which lead to intraseasonal deepening layer. Comparatively, prevailing southeasterly winds region are more humid, do not significant loss, thereby reducing use this unique dataset investigate presence strength flows, particularly winter, deep layers. These instabilities act mainly restratify through eddies. The timing spring restratification differs by three weeks between 2015 2016 matches sign change net flux entering restratifying fluxes. findings key high resolution drivers variability, downstream phytoplankton bloom dynamics ventilation oxygen minimum zone.