AOSN-II August 2003

Data collected by the research vessel Point Sur and WHOI and Scripps gliders from 2-6 August 2003 has been analyzed to provide an estimate for the current synoptic conditions. This estimate of synoptic conditions provides the initialization conditions for the Harvard Ocean Prediction System (HOPS) model simulations.

 

Model Simulation Results (0000 UTC 11-13 August 2003)
Temperature Salinity

 

The model simulation uses data from 2-6 August 2003 in the nowcast (initial conditions). Additional data from 7-10 August from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Scripps Institute of Oceanography autonomous underwater vehicles (gliders) are assimilated into the ongoing simulation.

Atmospheric forcing for the PE model is derived from the US Navy operational COAMPS (Jim Doyle) at 3km resolution. August winds have generally not been upwelling favorable. Winds have been generally light and variable, leading to relaxation conditions. During relaxation conditions, upwelling along the coast diminishes or vanishes and warm off-shore water moves on-shore. Those were the conditions in early August. Since that time upwelling favorable winds have returned. Now the anomalous warming of Monterey Bay is being replaced by cooler waters and upwelling off Points Ano Nuevo and Sur is occuring.

 

 

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