Chen, K., R. He, B. Powell, A. Moore, and H. Arrango, Data Assimilative Modeling Investigation on Gulf Stream Warm Ring Interaction with Continental Shelf and Slope, Part 1: Method, Journal of Geophysical Research , in review
A data assimilative ocean circulation model is used to hindcast the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf circulation interaction with a large Gulf Stream Warm Core Ring in April-May 2006. Using the recently developed Incremental Strong constraint 4D Variational (I4DVAR) data assimilation algorithm, the model assimilates satellite observed sea surface height (SSH), sea surface temperature (SST), in-situ temperature and salinity profiles measured by expendable bathythermograph, Argo floats, shipboard CTD casts, and glider transects. The model skill is significantly improved after data assimilation. SSH (SST) RMS errors over the two-month study period are reduced by 79% (65%). Model validations against independent hydrographic data also show 60% and 57% error reductions in temperature and salinity, respectively. The data-assimilative simulation reasonably well reproduced the temporal and spatial evolution of this large ring, and its strong interactions with shelf and slope circulation. |
