HR: 16:45h
AN: OS52I-10    [PDF]
TI: Development of a Feature-Oriented Regional Modeling System (FORMS) for the California Current System
AU: * Gangopadhyay, A
EM: avijit@umassd.edu
AF: School for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, N. Dartmouth, MA 02747 United States
AU: Kim, H
EM: hkim@umassd.edu
AF: School for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, N. Dartmouth, MA 02747 United States
AB: Every regional ocean has coastal circulation components and influences from the offshore regions. Over the past decade, the feature-oriented regional modeling approach has evolved to a system configuration which addresses such interactions. This methodology is model-independent and can be applied in lieu of satellite or in situ observations, especially in coastal regions. Feature-oriented methodology requires developing a synoptic circulation template for the region. This template is designed from a feature-based synthesis of the regional circulation patterns. From this "basis template", a map of strategic sampling locations for placing feature model profiles is produced. Feature models are represented by both analytical structures and by synoptic sections and profiles. The feature model profiles for a typical feature are developed by analyzing past synoptic high-resolution observations for that feature. Gangopadhyay and Robinson (DAO/2002) described the generalized mathematical forms for some of the typical feature models developed to date. Gangopadhyay et al. (CSR/2003) described a number of applications for coastal regions such as a coastal current, a tidal mixing front, eddy and gyres. We are currently developing a feature-oriented regional modeling system (FORMS) for the California Current System. The synoptic circulation features include the mean flow and the southwestward meandering jet of the California Current, the poleward flows (California Undercurrent and inshore current), the coastal transition zone features, i.e., the coastal eddies, the coastal jets along the upwelling fronts, the anomalous pools, the large and small filaments (squirts), and the mushroom vortices. We have identified the typical synoptic width, location, vertical extent, and core characteristics of these features and their dominant spatial and temporal scales of variability from past observational, theoretical and modeling studies. These synoptic features will be melded with a high-resolution synoptic climatology of the region for initialization and assimilation. We will discuss the present status and future plans for this ongoing project in this presentation.
UR: http://www.smast.umassd.edu/modeling/
DE: 4255 Numerical modeling
DE: 4263 Ocean prediction
DE: 4520 Eddies and mesoscale processes
DE: 4528 Fronts and jets
DE: 4532 General circulation
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2004 Ocean Sciences Meeting