IWR Modelling Team

Use observations to improve the internal wave predictability in the far field in global HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) simulations with tides, data assimilation, and realistic atmospheric forcing. We will validate HYCOM using the IWR Array and Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) data collected during the fast-sampling and science orbit phases in 2023. We will prepare SWOT data to be ingested in HYCOM’s data-assimilative system to further improve predictability of internal waves, whose phase and amplitude in the far field are affected by the location of mesoscale eddies.

Top Level Tasks

Compare HYCOM outputs with IWR Array Team in-situ observations, nadir and SWOT wide-swath altimetry.

Diagnose the mechanisms for low-mode internal tide decay in the observations and the global HYCOM simulations.

Test the value added from assimilation of SWOT wide-swath altimetry to improving HYCOM comparisons with in-situ data.

Use Earth System Prediction Capability (EPSC) simulations of HYCOM tides to quantify the error bars (spread of possibilities) in HYCOM predictions.

Energy flux and bathymetry near the proposed IWR Array site south of the Mendocino Ridge offshore of the California continental slope. (a) Semi-diurnal (M2) mode-1 energy flux (W/m) as estimated from a numerical model (courtesy of M. Buijsman) with the planned NASA SWOT Cal/Val sites noted (pink x’s). (b) Schematic of our proposed IWR Array at the base of the continental slope south of the ridge with a full-depth hybrid mooring and 7 C/PIESs (courtesy of M. Andres of WHOI).