Multi-platform model assessment in the Western Mediterranean Sea: impact of downscaling on the surface circulation and mesoscale activity

• DOI: 10.1007/s10236-019-01317-8
• Publication Date: 2019-12-04T08:02:47Z
• Authors: Eva Aguiar; Baptiste Mourre; Mélanie Juza; Emma Reyes; Jaime Hernández-L...; Eugenio Cutolo; Evan Mason; Joaquín Tintoré
• Keywords: Eddy; Sea-surface height; Boundary current

Abstract In numerical ocean modeling, dynamical downscaling is the approach consisting in generating high-resolution regional simulations exploiting information from coarser resolution models for initial and boundary conditions. Here we evaluate impacts of 1/16 o (~ 6–7 km) CMEMS Mediterranean reanalysis model solution into a 2-km free-run simulation over Western basin, focusing on surface circulation mesoscale activity. Multi-platform observations satellite-borne altimeters, high-frequency radar, fixed moorings, gliders are used this evaluation, providing insights variability basin to coastal scales. Results show that leads an improvement time-averaged circulation, especially topographically complex area Balearic Sea. particular, path current improved model, also positively affecting transports through Ibiza Channel. While produces similar number large eddies as Med Rea altimetry, it generates much larger small-scale eddies. Looking variability, absence data assimilation, not able properly reproduce observed phases structures, southern part domain. This negatively affects representation currents interacting with these eddies, highlighting importance assimilation region constrain evolution structures.