Data collected from the NATO Research Vessel Alliance during the period 28 May - 8 June 2003 have been utilized 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.

The ASCOT-02 simulation and operational system consists of a set of two-way nested domains. Pictured here are the Channel and Mini-HOPS domains. The specifics of the individual domains are given in other documents. Results presented below are for the Channel domain only.

The model simulation uses data from 28 - 31 May, 2003 in the nowcast (initial conditions). Data from June 3, 5 and 8 are assimilated into the ongoing simulation.

Atmospheric forcing for the PE model is derived from the US Navy operational NOGAPS model, COAMPS and ALADIN. Winds in this region have been light to moderate with a consistent west to east wind over the northern half of the domain. This wind has been driving an inflow into the modeling domain at the northern tip of Corsica. In the southern half of the domain, the winds have primarily been north to south and often stronger than the west-east winds in the northern half of the domain. This is tending to increase the currents south of Elba and driving them to a more north-south orientation.