A Feasibility Demonstration of Ocean Model Eddy-resolving Nowcast/Forecast Skill Using Satellite Altimeter Data

Abstract

A 1/16 deg Pacific Ocean model north of 20 deg S and a 1/4 deg global ocean model are used to assimilate satellite altimeter data and then to perform month-long forecasts initialized from the data assimilative states. The results constitute a feasibility demonstration of ocean model eddy-resolving nowcast/forecast skill using altimeter data. In particular they demonstrate: (1) that satellite altimetry is an effective observing system for mesoscale oceanic features, (2) that an ocean model with high enough resolution can be a skillful dynamical interpolator for satellite altimeter data in depicting mesoscale oceanic variability, and (3) that the high resolution ocean model can provide skillful forecasts of mesoscale variability for at least a month, when model assimilation of the altimeter data is used to define the initial state.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 10, 2000
Accession Number
ADA378597

Entities

People

  • Charlie N. Barron
  • Edward Joseph Metzger
  • Harley E. Hurlburt
  • Ole Martin Smedstad
  • Robert C. Rhodes

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altimetry
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Assimilation
  • Delphi Method
  • Demonstrations
  • Department Of Defense
  • High Resolution
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Military Research
  • North Pacific Ocean
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Sea Surface Temperature
  • Simulations
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistical Inference

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Coastal Oceanography

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites