Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The predictability of near-coastal currents using a baroclinic unstructured grid model

  • Published:
Ocean Dynamics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A limited domain, coastal ocean forecast system consisting of an unstructured grid model, a meteorological model, a regional ocean model, and a global tidal database is designed to be globally relocatable. For such a system to be viable, the predictability of coastal currents must be well understood with error sources clearly identified. To this end, the coastal forecast system is applied at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay in response to a Navy exercise. Two-day forecasts are produced for a 10-day period from 4 to 14 June 2010 and compared to real-time observations. Interplay between the temporal frequency of the regional model boundary forcing and the application of external tides to the coastal model impacts the tidal characteristics of the coastal current, even contributing a small phase error. Frequencies of at least 3 h are needed to resolve the tidal signal within the regional model; otherwise, externally applied tides from a database are needed to capture the tidal variability. Spatial resolution of the regional model (3 vs 1 km) does not impact skill of the current prediction. Tidal response of the system indicates excellent representation of the dominant M 2 tide for water level and currents. Diurnal tides, especially K 1, are amplified unrealistically with the application of coarse 27-km winds. Higher-resolution winds reduce current forecast error with the exception of wind originating from the SSW, SSE, and E. These winds run shore parallel and are subject to strong interaction with the shoreline that is poorly represented even by the 3-km wind fields. The vertical distribution of currents is also well predicted by the coastal model. Spatial and temporal resolution of the wind forcing including areas close to the shoreline is the most critical component for accurate current forecasts. Additionally, it is demonstrated that wind resolution plays a large role in establishing realistic thermal and density structures in upwelling prone regions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allard R, Dykes J, Hsu Y, Kaihatu J, Conley D (2008) A real-time nearshore wave and current prediction system. J Mar Syst 69(1–2):37–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barron CN, Kara A, Hurlburt H, Rowley C, Smedstad L (2004) Sea surface height predictions from the global Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) during 1998–2001. J Atmos Ocean Technol 21(12):1876–1894

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barron CN, Kara A, Martin P, Rhodes R, Smedstad L (2006) Formulation, implementation and examination of vertical coordinate choices in the global Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM). Ocean Model 11:347–375. doi:10.1016/j.ocemod.2005.01.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blain CA (1998) Barotropic and tidal residual circulation in the Arabian Gulf. In: Spaulding ML, Blumberg AF (eds) Estuarine and coastal modeling, proceedings of the fifth international conference. American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, pp 166–180

  • Blain CA, Preller RH (2007) High resolution modeling of coastal inundation: user requirements and current practice, a navy perspective. Mar Technol Soc J 41(1):76–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blain CA, Cambazoglu MK, Kourafalou V (2009) Modeling the Dardanelles strait outflow plume using a coupled model system. In: OCEANS 2009, MTS/IEEE Biloxi—marine technology for our future: global and local challenges, marine technology for our future: global and local challenges. MTS/IEEE, Biloxi, MS, pp 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Blain CA, Linzell R, Chu P, Massey C (2010) Validation test report for the advanced circulation model (ADCIRC) v45.11. NRL memorandum report NRL/MR/7320-2009-9205. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumberg AF, Goodrich DM (1990) Modeling of wind-induced destratification in Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries 13:236–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blumberg AF, Mellor GL (1987) Three dimensional coastal ocean models, coastal and estuarine sciences. A description of a three-dimensional coastal ocean circulation model, vol 4. American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, pp 1–16

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Blumberg AF, Signell RP, Jenter HL (1993) Modeling transport processes in the coastal ocean. J Mar Environ Eng 1:31–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Burchard H (2002) Applied turbulence modeling in marine waters. Lecture notes in earth sciences, vol 100. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Cambazoglu MK, Blain CA, Kadioglu M (2010) Evaluation of wind fields predictions by atmospheric models over the Marmara Sea. In: Rapp. comm. int. mer mdit., 39th international CIESM congress, vol 39. CIESM, Venice, Italy, p 99

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen C, Liu H, Beardsley RC (2003a) An unstructured grid, finite-volume, three-dimensional, primitive equations ocean model: application to coastal ocean and estuaries. J Atmos Ocean Technol 20:159–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen S, Cummings J, Doyle J, Hodur R, Holt T, Liou C, Liu M, Ridout J, Schmidt J, Thompson W, Mirin A, Sugiyama G (2003b) COAMPS version 3 model description—general theory and equations. NRL Publication NRL/PU/7500–03-448. Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu P, Cambazoglu MK, Blain CA, Jacobs G, Allard R, Linzell RS (2011) Multi-model validation in the Chesapeake Bay region during frontier sentinel 2010. Tech. rep. NRL/–/7320———. Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, Jackson

  • Defne Z, Hass KA, Fritz HM (2011) Numerical modeling of tidal currents and the effects of power extraction on estuarine hydrodynamics along the Georgia coast, USA. Renew Energy (in press)

  • Dresback KM (2005) Algorithmic improvements and analyses of the generalized wave continuity equation based model, ADCIRC. Ph.D. thesis, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, p 228

  • Dresback KM, Blain CA, Kolar RL (2004) Resolution and algorithmic influences on the baroclinic pressure gradient in finite element based hydrodynamic models. In: C. T. Miller, et al. (eds) Computational Methods, Surface Water Systems and Hydrology, vol. 2. pp 1755–1766

  • Dresback K, Kolar RL, Blain CA, Cambazoglu MK, Shay T, Luettich RA (2010) Development and application of the coupled HYCOM and ADCIRC system. In: Spaulding ML (ed) Estuarine and coastal modeling, proceedings of the 11th international conference. American Society of Civil Engineers, Seattle, pp 259–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Egbert G, Erofeeva S (2002) Efficient inverse modeling of barotropic ocean tides. J Atmos Ocean Technol 19:183–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egbert GD, Bennett AF, Foreman MGG (1994) TOPEX/ POSEIDON tides estimated using a global inverse model. J Geophys Res 99:24821–24852

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garratt JR (1977) Review of drag coefficients over oceans and continents. Mon Weather Rev 105:915–929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hallock ZR, Pistek P, Book JW, Miller JL (2003) A description of tides near the Chesapeake Bay entrance using in situ data with an adjoint model. J Geophys Res 108:3075–3083

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannah C, Wright DG (1995) Quantitative skill assessment for coastal ocean models. Coastal estuarine studies. Depth dependent analytical and numerical solutions for wind-driven flow in the coastal ocean, vol 47. American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, pp 125–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Hench JL, Luettich RA (2003) Transient tidal circulation and momentum balances at a shallow inlet. J Phys Oceanogr 33:913–932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodur RM (1997) The naval research laboratory’s coupled ocean/atmosphere mesoscale prediction system (COAMPS). Mon Weather Rev 135:1414–1430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson DR (1995) Wind forced surface currents at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay: their effect on blue crab larval dispersion and post-larval recruitment. Bull Mar Sci 57:726–738

    Google Scholar 

  • Kara AB, Barron C, Martin P, Smedstad L, Rhodes R (2006) Validation of interannual simulations from the 1/8 global Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM). Ocean Model 11(3–4):376–398. doi:10.1016/j.ocemod.2005.01.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ko DS, Martin PJ, Rowley CD, Preller RH (2008) A real-time coastal ocean prediction experiment for MREA04. J Mar Syst 69(1–2):17–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolar RL, Kibbey TCG, Szpilka CM, Dresback KM, Tromble EM, Toohey IP, Hoggan JL, Atkinson JH (2009) Process-oriented tests for validation of baroclinic shallow water models: the lock-exchange problem. Ocean Model 28(1–3):137–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurapov AL, Egbert GD, Miller RN, Allen JS (2002) Data assimilation in a Baroclinic coastal ocean model: ensemble statistics and comparison of methods. Mon Weather Rev 130:1009–1025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Zhong L, Boicourt WC (2005) Simulations of Chesapeake Bay estuary: sensitivity to turbulence mixing parameterizations and comparison with observations. J Geophys Res 110:12004–12026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Chao Y, McWilliams JC, Ide K (2008) A three-dimensional variational data assimilation scheme for the regional ocean modeling system: implementation and basic experiments. J Geophys Res 113. doi:10.1029/2006JC004,042

    Google Scholar 

  • Logutov OG (2008) A multigrid methodology for assimilation of measurements into regional tidal models. Ocean Dyn 58:441–460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Logutov OG, Lermusiaux PFJ (2008) Inverse barotropic tidal estimation for regional ocean applications. Ocean Model 25:17–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luettich Jr R, Westerink JJ (2004) Formulation and numerical implementation of the 2D/3D ADCIRC finite element model version 44.XX. http://www.adcirc.org

  • Luettich RA, Muccino JC, Foreman MGG (2002) Considerations in the calculation of vertical velocity in three-dimensional circulation models. J Atmos Ocean Technol 19:2063–2076

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyard F, Lefevre F, Letellier T, Francis O (2006) Modelling the global ocean tides: modern insights from FES2004. Ocean Dyn 56(5–6). doi:10.1007/s10236-006-0086-x

    Google Scholar 

  • McDougall TJ, Wright DG, Jacket DR, Fiestel R (2003) Accurate and computationally efficient algorithms for temperature and density of seawater. J Atmos Ocean Technol 20(5):730–741

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mellor GL (1996) Introduction to physical oceanography. Springer, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Mellor GL, Yamada T (1982) Development of a turbulence closure model for geophysical fluid problems. Rev Geophys Space Phys 20:851–875

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muccino JC, Gray WG, Foreman MGG (1997) Calculation of vertical velocity in three dimensional shallow water equation, finite element models. Int J Numer Methods Fluids 25(7):779–802

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mukai A, Westerink J, Luettich R, Mark D (2002) A tidal constituent database for the Western North Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Tech. rep. ERDC/CHL TR-02-2. US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg

  • NCEP (2010) National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP): ocean prediction center. http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/newNCOM/NCOM_currents.shtml

  • NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) (2011) Tidal harmonics for Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, VA, station ID: 8638863. Tides and currents WWW page. http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions/NOAATidesFacade.jsp?Stationid=8638863

  • Rosmond TE, Teixeira J, Peng M, Hogan TF, Pauley R (2002) Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS): forcing for ocean models. Oceanography 15(1):99–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Shay LK, Cook TM, Hallock ZR, Haus B, Graber HC, Martinez J (2001) The strength of the M2 tide at the Chesapeake Bay mouth. J Phys Oceanogr 31:427–449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shchepetkin AF, McWilliams J (2005) The regional ocean modeling system: a split-explicit, free-surface, topography-following coordinates ocean model. Ocean Model 9:347–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westerink J, Luettich R, Feyen J, Atkinson J, Dawson C, Roberts H, Powell M, Dunion J, Kubatko E, Pourtaheri H (2008) A basin to channel scale unstructured grid hurricane storm surge model applied to Southern Louisiana. Mon Weather Rev 136:833–864

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilmott CJ (1981) On the validation of models. Phys Geogr 2:184–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang Z, Myers E, White S (2007) The Chesapeake and Delaware Bays VDatum development and progress towards a national VDatum. http://www.thsoa.org/hy07/04P_13.pdf

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Travis Smith for his work on the COAMPS-NCOM coupled model system which made it possible to create high-resolution wind fields and multiple realizations of the regional model. We appreciate the efforts of Philip Chu whose model–model comparisons in the same region provided the motivation for this study. The work for this paper has been funded under the NRL 6.2 Core Program, “Development of a Multi-Scale Coupled Ocean Model System—Application to the Turkish Straits.” This paper is NRL contribution number JA/7320–11-0631.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oceanography Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS, 39529, USA

    Cheryl Ann Blain

  2. Department of Marine Science, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS, 39529, USA

    Mustafa Kemal Cambazoglu

  3. Technology Solutions Group, QinetiQ North America, Stennis Space Center, MS, 39529, USA

    Robert S. Linzell

  4. School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Kendra M. Dresback & Randall L. Kolar

Authors
  1. Cheryl Ann Blain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mustafa Kemal Cambazoglu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Robert S. Linzell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kendra M. Dresback
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Randall L. Kolar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cheryl Ann Blain.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Pierre Lermusiaux

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Maritime Rapid Environmental Assessment

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Blain, C.A., Cambazoglu, M.K., Linzell, R.S. et al. The predictability of near-coastal currents using a baroclinic unstructured grid model. Ocean Dynamics 62, 411–437 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-011-0501-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-011-0501-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation