Application of FVCOM to the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank: Simulated and Assimilated Modeling Studies of Stratification and Sub-tidal Circulation Chen, C, H. Liu, R. C. Beardsley, G. Cowles, J. Pringle, R. Schlitz and B. Rothschild
Meteorological forcing GOM/GB MM5 Boundary forcings Assimilation Wind stress, heat flux Real-time tidal forcing River discharges Scotian shelf water input North Atlantic open boundary condition ?? SST Hydrographic survey CTD ADCP Moored current meter data CODAR?? The FVCOM GOM/GB Physical Model
The Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) NECE 6 ADCPs 3-6, 1999
Re-start with the assimilated field The 1995 and 1999 Experiments Run the model with tidal forcing only from December 1-15; Re-start the model on December 15 with the initial condition of T and S given by December climatologic hydrographic field; Add real-time wind stress, heat flux, river discharge, etc on January 1 Simulating Re-start with the assimilated field January February Assimilating: SST, Current
Observed Calculated Observed Calculated M2 N2 S2
Observed Calculated Observed Calculated K1 O1
The 1995 Simulation and Assimilation
Observed Simulated Assimilated Jan Feb March
Observed Simulated Assimilated April May June
Observed Simulated Assimilated July Aug Sept
Observed Simulated Assimilated Oct Nov Dec
Site: NECE 23 m 99 m 191 m
Site: NECE 23 m 99 m 191 m
February 1995
July 1995
The 1999 Summer Simulation and Assimilation
Observed Simulated Assimilated
Observed Simulated Assimilated Times (day) May 1999
Site2 Site4 Site6 Observed Simulated Assimilation
Comparison between observed and simulated currents at an ADCP site May 1999
Simulated subtidal surface water temperature and currents May 1999 Simulated subtidal surface water temperature and currents
Summary Both simulation and assimilation clearly show that the seasonal variation of clockwise subtidal gyre on GB and also cyclonic circulation around the Jordon basin. The cyclonic circulation forming around the Jordon basin could cause a significant on-bank water transport to GB during summer. Good agreement between model-predicted and observed currents was found on the southern flank of GB, but not in the Northeast Channel (NEC). This suggests that the subtidal circulation on GB is mainly controlled by local forcing, while the currents in the eastern GOM/GB are strongly influenced by water input from the Scotian Shelf. Nudging assimilation is used to merge the model-computed and observed currents in the NEC. This approach produces a more realistic pattern of subtidal currents and on-bank transport on the northeastern flank of GB.