Abstract
Abstract. The present study deals with the implementation of an eddy resolving model of the Levantine and Aegean basins and its one-way nesting with a coarse resolution (1/8° × 1/8°) global Mediterranean general circulation model. The modelling effort is done within the framework of the Mediterranean Forecasting System Pilot Project as an initiative towards real-time forecasting within the eastern Mediterranean region. The performed climatological runs of the nested model have shown very promising results on the ability of the model to capture correctly the complex dynamics of the area and at the same time to demonstrate the skill and robustness of the nesting technique applied. A second aim of this study is to prepare a comprehensive climatological surface boundary conditions data set for the Mediterranean Sea. This data set has been developed within the framework of the same research project and is suitable for use in ocean circulation models of the Mediterranean Sea or parts of it. The computation is based on the ECMWF 6-h atmospheric parameters for the period 1979–1993 and a calibrated set of momentum and heat flux bulk formulae resulted from previous studies for the Mediterranean region. Key words. Oceanography: general (numerical modelling); physical (general circulation; air-sea interactions)
Highlights
Within the framework of the Mediterranean Forecasting System Pilot Project, an eddy resolving ocean model of the Aegean and Levantine basins (ALERMO) has been developed
For the first time we address the problem of nesting a high resolution general circulation model of the whole eastern Mediterranean with a coarse resolution global Mediterranean general circulation model (OGCM)
The rather simple nesting technique adopted in this study allows for the high resolution model (ALERMO) to have simultaneous independent radiative boundary conditions and dependent nested boundary conditions provided by the OGCM
Summary
Within the framework of the Mediterranean Forecasting System Pilot Project (hereafter MFSPP), an eddy resolving ocean model of the Aegean and Levantine basins (ALERMO) has been developed. We apply Castellari et al (1998) suggested “best set” of bulk formulae to the ECMWF high-frequency (6-h) atmospheric data set, covering a 15-year period (January 1979– December 1993), to derive new monthly heat and momentum flux estimates for the Mediterranean basin. We present the procedures followed in order to prepare the climatological atmospheric forcing data set, which was used to force the OGCM, intermediate and shelf models within the project This new atmospheric forcing data set consists of heat flux fields and wind stress components on a monthly basis, derived from the ECMWF 1979–1993 6-h re-analysis atmospheric parameters on a regular 1◦ × 1◦ grid. It is worth mentioning here that the monthly wind stress fields produced with this particular method from the ECMWF re-analysis wind velocity data, compare very well with the wind stress fields, as calculated by Hellerman and Rosenstein (1983) for the Mediterranean region
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