Harvard/SACLANTCEN -- Nowcasts/Forecasts

Harvard Ocean Prediction System Model Results

Data from RR98 is assimilated into the Harvard Primitive Equation model in a fashion which mirrors the manner in which it was collected. The results presented are of the nowcast days and of the final forecast days. In this context, we define nowcast and forecast as:

Nowcast

Fields taken shortly after full assimilation of a set of data. Generally fields shown have 1/4 - 1/2 day of dynamical (model) adjustment to the data.

Forecast

Fields taken after all data has been assimilated.

Data available

At the time of model initialization (27 February), the following data was available to be incorporated into the model:

Model run description

The model run has an initialization based on RR98 data. The model is initialized on 22 February. The hydrographic data is assimilated on 24 February.

The model run is continuously forced by FNMOC analyses and FNMOC forecast products.

Surface Maps

Three types of plots are distributed at this time. The first type is of surface temperature with model (sub-tidal) velocity vectors superimposed. The second type is of tidal velocities, presented at three hour intervals. The third type are plots of mixed layer depth estimated from model output fields.

Vertical Sections

Vertical sections of temperature in the Gulf of Cadiz are extracted from the forecast on the indicated dates.

Along 36N (to 900m) - Nowcasts TSCHA001.GIF 24 Feb 98 Along 36N (to 900m) - Forecasts TSCHA002.GIF 02 Mar 98 TSCHA003.GIF 03 Mar 98 TSCHA004.GIF 04 Mar 98 Along 6W (to 300m) - Nowcasts TSCHA005.GIF 24 Feb 98 Along 6W (to 300m) - Forecasts TSCHA006.GIF 02 Mar 98 TSCHA007.GIF 03 Mar 98 TSCHA008.GIF 04 Mar 98

Profiles

Temperature profiles are extracted from the output of the Harvard model. The profiles are on a 1/4 degree grid and stored in JJXX format.