Seasonal variability in the California Current, a DIECAST model study
By:  Joseph R. Donato
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 68
Description: The high resolution DIECAST ocean model, with improved physics, is used to simulate the annual cycle of      mesoscale variability in the California coastal region. Model improvements include reduced numerical      dispersion, an annual cycle of climatological wind stress forcing enhanced in magnitude near the coastal      headlands, and barotropic and baroclinic boundary inflows and outflows. A six year simulation produced results      in general agreement with recent observations of the annual cycle in the California Current although the gradients      of sea surface temperature and dynamic height are generally stronger, and show more structure than observed.      The stronger gradients indicate increased coastal upwelling and produced faster geostrophic currents than      observed. A region of maximum Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE), originally formed in the upper ocean over the      continental slope in late spring, migrates westward on a seasonal timescale consistent in magnitude and phase      with observations. At the same, the EKE spreads vertically into the deep ocean, decreasing the surface EKE      west of about 126 deg W. This result clearly identifies a non-dissipative process that can account for the      pronounced decrease of EKE west of 126 deg W recently documented in the literature. Deficiencies in the      simulation include some artificial influences from the incompletely open western boundary, an exaggerated      response of the surface circulation to the Mendocino escarpment and the absence of a significant poleward      surface current along the coast in winter.
Notes: "December 1998."

Thesis advisor(s): Robert L. Haney.

Thesis (M.S.  in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography) Naval Postgraduate School, December 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-67).

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Also available online.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System Requirements: Adobe Acrobat reader.

US Naval Reserve (USNR) author.

dk/dk cc:9116 02/04/99.