Sea ice modeling in the Sea of Azov for a study of long-term variability

Abstract

This study deals with an attempt to use the NEMO modeling framework to investigate the long-term variability of the sea-ice fields in the Sea of Azov. A coupled ocean-ice model is used to perform a simulation by using an earlier developed configuration of cascading sea basins (Azov, Black, and Marmara). Various features of geographical location cause the formation of sea ice in the waters of the Sea of Azov and in the coastal area of the north-western Black Sea shelf. For a preliminary accuracy assessment, the simulation results are compared with the data based on satellite observations. The restricted amount of the data for the rather small area under study, as well as the features of the regional weather conditions, produce rather low accuracy of the available data products based on the satellite data. At the same time, the available data from coastal weather stations, as well as archived observations, produce a fairly adequate pattern of the simulated variability of the sea-ice conditions in the basin.