Modelling and Observations of the Residual Current off Southwest Nova Scotia

Abstract

Using a depth-dependent weakly nonlinear tidal model, the three-dimensional structure of the tidally induced residual current near Cape Sable off the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia, is computed. The result is compared to 17 current meter observations located at seven stations. Examples of the depth-averaged residual current, and of the vertical structure of the current at all the experimental stations are presented. Using a multiple regression technique, the tidally induced residual currents are estimated from the current meter records. The estimated residual currents at two stations are well reproduced by the model. At one station, the predicted residual currents are smaller than the observed values. For the rest of the stations, the comparison is not conclusive because of large uncertainties in the estimated residual currents.