1. Manuel Ruiz-Villarreal Pablo Otero Paula Conde Alvaro Peliz Jesús Dubert The Iberian Poleward Current around N and NW Iberia

3.  ROMS-AGRIF  Full physics. Meteorological forcing by a high resolution model (MM5/Meteogalicia or HIRLAM/INM)  Three grids with 15Km, ~5Km and 1.8 km. Larger grid introduces a realistic large scale meridional pressure gradient and  Climatological forcing and run in the larger domain (Peliz & Dubert)  Realistic meteo forcing from August 2002 Configuration

4. Salinity and velocity at 100 m

7. Salinity

8. Meridional velocity

9. Mediterranean Water

11. Weakening Enhanced slope current Upwelling of slope current waters downwelling relaxation upwelling Slope current response to wind events Daily model cross-section of density and S at 42 N

12. downwelling relaxation upwelling Subsurface maximum Surface intensified Poleward velocity response to wind events oo o

13. SST AVHRR vs model SST

14. Hydrographical section vs model

15. Quickscat vs MM5

16. Sensitivity tests hmin=40m, theta_b=0.2 Broader density signature hmin=40m, theta_b=0.0 Enhanced mesoscale activity hmin=10m, theta_b=0.0 More intense IPC

17. Conclusions  We have set-up a realistic configuration for studying the poleward slope flow off N and NW Iberia  IPC exhibits variability in response to wind events.  On the north coast, wind forcing can be the dominant term in the penetration of IPC.  Our work in progress is an evaluation of physical terms; sensitivity to different parameters and setting-up other periods of simulation.