Global Ocean Nowcasts and Forecasts with the Navy Coastal Model (NCOM)
Abstract
The global ocean is a seamless body where open-ocean systems shape and are shaped by nearshore conditions, surface processes drive and respond to interior circulation, and localized events often can be predicted and understood only within a larger context. To support Navy operations and other research and operational activities within such an environment, we have developed and are transitioning to the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO) a fully global implementation of the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM). We have endeavored to produce a friendly environment for nesting higher resolution models wherever the need should arise. Some global NCOM data products of particular interest include surface currents and temperature, mixed-layer depth, current and thermohaline profiles, and shelf circulation. Global NCOM extends present global Navy operational model capabilities into the Arctic and to nearshore regions, with a minimum depth of 5 m. Operational roles of global NCOM include providing standalone data where global resolution is sufficient and timely overviews of local circulation as detailed localized products are prepared. Perhaps its most important purpose is to provide boundary conditions used by regional or relocatable models, giving required information regarding the surrounding environment to localized models more specialized for a particular task or domain. In general, nested models will have more detailed forcing, topography, additional data for assimilation, or higher resolution necessary for improved local detail. The global model includes inflow from almost 1000 rivers to improve the fidelity of coastal salinity. Global NCOM is designed to be suitable for inclusion in a coupled ocean-atmosphere modeling system, and it is also designated as the host for an embedded ice model, PIPS3, which is in development for transition.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA480644
Entities
People
- A. Birol Kara
- C. N. Barron
- Clark Rowley
- L. F. Smedstad
- P. J. Martin
- R. C. Rhodes
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory