Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment products on South Florida nested simulations with the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model

  • Published:
Ocean Dynamics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The South Florida Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (SoFLA-HYCOM) encompasses a variety of coastal regions (the broad Southwest Florida shelf, the narrow Atlantic Keys shelf, the shallow Florida Bay, and Biscayne Bay) and deep regions (the Straits of Florida), including Marine Protected Areas (the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary and the Dry Tortugas Ecological Reserve). The presence of the strong Loop Current/Florida Current system and associated eddies connects the local and basin-wide dynamics. A multi-nested approach has been developed to ensure resolution of coastal-scale processes and proper interaction with the large scale flows. The simulations are free running and effects of data assimilation are introduced through boundary conditions derived from Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment products. The study evaluates the effects of boundary conditions on the successful hindcasting of circulation patterns by a nested model, applied on a dynamically and topographically complex shelf area. Independent (not assimilated) observations are employed for a quantitative validation of the numerical results. The discussion of the prevailing dynamics that are revealed in both modeled and observed patterns suggests the importance of topography resolution and local forcing on the inner shelf to middle shelf areas, while large scale processes are found to dominate the outer shelf flows. The results indicate that the successful hindcasting of circulation patterns in a coastal area that is characterized by complex topography and proximity to a large scale current system requires a dynamical downscaling approach, with simulations that are nested in a hierarchy of data assimilative outer models.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beardsley RC, Butman B (1974) Circulation on the New England continental shelf: response to strong winter storms. Geophys Res Lett 1:181–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bleck R (2002) An oceanic general circulation model framed in hybrid isopycnic–cartesian coordinates. Ocean Modelling 4:55–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Browning GL, Kreiss H-O (1982) Initialization of the shallow water equations with open boundaries by the bounded derivative method. Tellus 34:334–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Browning GL, Kreiss H-O (1986) Scaling and computation of smooth atmospheric motions. Tellus 38A:295–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canuto VM, Howard A, Cheng Y, Dubovikov MS (2001) Ocean turbulence, Part I: one-point closure model. Momentum and heat vertical diffusivities. J Phys Oceanogr 31:1413–1426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canuto VM, Howard A, Cheng Y, Dubovikov MS (2002) Ocean turbulence, Part II: vertical diffusivities of momentum, heat, salt, mass, and passive scalars. J Phys Oceanogr 32:240–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chassignet EP, Smith LT, Halliwell GR, Bleck R (2003) North Atlantic simulations with the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM): impact of the vertical coordinate choice, reference density, and thermobaricity. J Phys Oceanogr 33:2504–2526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chassignet EP, Hurlburt HE, Smedstad OM, Halliwell GH, Hogan PJ, Wallcraft AJ, Baraille R, Bleck R (2007) The HYCOM (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model) data assimilative system. J Mar Sys 65:60–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper M, Haines K (1996) Atlimetric assimilation with water property conservation. J Geophys Res 101:1059–1078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Csanady GT (1978) The arrested topographic wave. J Phys Oceanogr 8:47–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cummings JA (2005) Operational multivariate ocean data assimilation. J R Meteorol Soc 131:3583–3604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daley R (1991) Atmospheric data analysis. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 457

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox DN, Teague WJ, Barron CN, Carnes MR, Lee CM (2002) The Modular Ocean Data Analysis System (MODAS). J Atmos Ocean Technol 19:240–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halliwell GR Jr (2004) Evaluation of vertical coordinate and vertical mixing algorithms in the HYbrid-Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). Ocean Model 7:285–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halliwell GR Jr, Weisberg RH, Mayer DA (2003) A synthetic float analysis of upper-limb meridional overturning circulation interior ocean pathways in the tropical/subtropical Atlantic. In: Goni G, Malanotte-Rizzoli P (eds) Interhemispheric water exchange in the Atlantic Ocean. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 93–136

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Halliwell GR Jr, Barth A, Weisberg RH, Hogan PB, Smedstad OM, Cummings J (2008) Impact of GODAE products on nested HYCOM simulations on the West Florida Shelf. Ocean Dynamics (this issue)

  • Hamilton P, Larsen JC, Leaman KD, Lee TN, Waddell E (2005) Transports through the Straits of Florida. J Phys Oceanogr 35:308–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hetland RD, Hsueh Y, Leben R, Niiler PP (1999) A Loop Current-induced jet along the edge of the west Florida shelf. Geophys Res Lett 26:2239–2242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodur RM (1997) The Navy Research Laboratory’s Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS). Mon Wea Rev 125:1414–1430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodur RM, Hong X, Doyle JD, Pullen J, Commings J, Martin P, Rennick MA (2002) The Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS). Oceanography 15(1):88–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogan TF, Brody LR (1993) Sensitivity studies of the Navy global forecast model parameterizations and evaluations and evaluation of improvements to NOGAPS. Mon Wea Rev 121:2373–2395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hogan TF, Rosemond TE (1991) The description of the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System. Mon Wea Rev 119:1786–1815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huh O, Wiseman WJ, Rouse L (1981) Intrusion of a Loop current eddy onto the west Florida continental shelf. J Geophys Res 86:4186–4192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International GODAE Steering Team (2000) Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment Strategic Plan. GODAE Report #6. GODAE International Project Office, Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne 26 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kara AB, Hurlburt HE, Wallcraft AJ (2005) Stability-dependent exchange coefficients for air–sea fluxes. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 22:1080–1094

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kourafalou VH, Balotro RS, Lee TN (2005) The SoFLA-HYCOM (South Florida HYCOM) Regional Model around the Straits of Florida, Florida Bay and the Florida Keys. UM/RSMAS Tech Rep 2005/03, pp28

  • Kourafalou VH, Williams E, Lee TN (2007) Favorite drifter trajectories deployed from the western shelf of Florida and the coastal waters of the Florida Keys. In: Griffa A, Kirwan AD, Mariano AJ, Özgökmen T, Rossby T (eds) Lagrangian analysis and prediction of coastal and ocean dynamics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 78–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Large WG, Mc Williams JC, Doney SC (1994) Oceanic vertical mixing: a review and a model with a nonlocal boundary layer parameterization. Rev Geophys 32:363–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Large WG, Danabasoglu G, Doney SC, McWilliams JC (1997) Sensitivity to surface forcing and boundary layer mixing in a global ocean model: annual-mean climatology. J Phys Oceanogr 27:2418–2447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee TN, Williams E (1999) Mean distribution and seasonal variability of coastal currents and temperature in the Florida Keys with implications for larval recruitment. Bull Mar Sci 64:35–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee TN, Schott F, Zantopp R (1985) Florida Current: low-frequency variability of the Florida Current as observed with moored current meter stations during April 1982–June 1983. Science 227:298–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee TN, Williams E, Johns E, Wilson D, Smith NP (2002) Transport processes linking south Florida coastal ecosystem. In: Porter JW, Porter KG (eds) The Everglades, Florida Bay, and coral reefs of the Florida Keys: an ecosystem sourcebook. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 309–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchum GT, Sturges W (1982) Wind driven currents on the West Florida Shelf. J Phys Oceanogr 12:1310–1317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paluszkiewicz T, Atkinson LP, Posmentier ES, McClain CR (1983) Observations of a Loop Current Frontal Eddy intrusion onto the West Florida Shelf. J Geophys Res 88:9639–9652

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prasad TG, Hogan PJ (2007) Upper-ocean response to Hurricane Ivan in a 1/250 nested Gulf of Mexico HYCOM. J Geophys Res 112:C04013, doi:10,129/2006JC003695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosemond TE (1992) The design and testing of the Navy Operational Global and Atmospheric Prediction System. Weather Forecasting 72(2):262–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sponaugle S, Lee TN, Kourafalou VH, Pinkard D (2005) Florida current spin-off eddies and the settlement of coral reef fishes. Limnol Oceanogr 50:1033–1048

    Google Scholar 

  • Weisberg RH, He R (2003) Local and deep-ocean forcing contributions to anomalous water properties on the West Florida Shelf. J Geophys Res 108(C6):3184, doi:10.1029/2002JC001407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weisberg RH, Black BD, Yang H (1996) Seasonal modulation of the west Florida continental shelf circulation. Geophys Res Lett 23:2247–2250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weisberg RH, Li Z, Muller-Karger FE (2001) West Florida Shelf response to local wind forcing: April 1998. J Geophys Res 106:31,239–31,262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weisberg RH, He R, Liu Y, Virmani J (2005) West Florida Shelf circulation on synoptic, seasonal and interannual time scales. In: Circulation in the Gulf of Mexico: Observations and Models. Geophysical Monograph Series 161, American Geophysical union, 10.129/161GM23

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Office of Naval Research and the National Ocean Partnership Program (ONR/NOPP N000140510892). Additional funding to V. Kourafalou was available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Ocean Program (NOAA/COP NA17RJ1226) and the National Science Foundation (NSF OCE0550732). We thank George Halliwell (UM/RSMAS) for fruitful discussions and Viva Benzon (UM/RSMAS Satellite Group) for preparing the composite ocean color image.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Ge Peng

    Present address: Raytheon Company, Pasadena, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Vassiliki H. Kourafalou, Ge Peng & HeeSook Kang

  2. Naval Research Lab, Stennis Space Center, Hancock County, MS, USA

    Patrick J. Hogan

  3. QinetiQ North America, Technology Solutions Group—PSI, Stennis Space Center, Hancock County, MS, USA

    Ole-Martin Smedstad

  4. College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St Petersburg, FL, USA

    Robert H. Weisberg

Authors
  1. Vassiliki H. Kourafalou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ge Peng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. HeeSook Kang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Patrick J. Hogan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ole-Martin Smedstad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Robert H. Weisberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vassiliki H. Kourafalou.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Brian Powell

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kourafalou, V.H., Peng, G., Kang, H. et al. Evaluation of Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment products on South Florida nested simulations with the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model. Ocean Dynamics 59, 47–66 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-008-0160-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-008-0160-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation