Ocean Models

Four systems forecasting mid-Atlantic bight ocean circulation have been developed under MARACOOS: three dynamical data-assimilative models with different domain configurations, numerics, data inputs and assimilation methodologies (1-3 below), and one statistically-based surface current system using HF-RADAR velocity data (4). Additionally a fifth model highlighting storm surge is linked below.

  1. Rutgers Ocean Modeling Regional Forecast (ROMS & ESPRESSO : covers the Mid-Atlantic Bight from the center of Cape Cod southward to Cape Hatters, from the coast to beyond the shelf break and shelf/slope front.
  2. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Ocean Forecasts (HOPS): covers from Cape Hatteras to Newfoundland and offshore to the Gulf Stream ring and meander region
  3. Stevens Institute of Technology Ocean Forecasts (NYHOPS): covers many of the bays and harbors of the New York Bight including Long Island sound, NY Harbor and the Hudson River
  4. University of Connecticut Ocean Forecasts (STPS): covers the Mid-Atlantic Bight
  5. Stevens Insitute of Technology Storm Surge Forecast: covers the immediate coastlines, bays and rivers of the Mid-Atlantic Bight

Comparisons of the first three dynamical models shown above are shown in the table below.

 


MARACOOS Dynamic Models: Comparison and Current Status

   

UMass/HOPS

Stevens/NYHOPS

Rutgers/ROMS

CONFIGURATION resolution 15 km
16 sigma-levels
50 m to 11 km
10 sigma-levels
5 km
36 s-levels
  domain Cape Hatteras to Grand Banks, Gulf of Maine, Gulf Stream MD to Nantucket shelf h<200m; high resolution NY Harbor Cape Hatteras to Nantucket Shoals and Slope Sea
  model code home Link Link Link
EXTERNAL FORCING meteorology NCEP GFS 50 km
6-hourly, 7 days
NCEP NAM 12 km
3-hourly; 3 days
NCEP NAM 12 km
3-hourly; 3 days
  rivers no NOAA AHPS 6-hourly forecast USGS daily observed
  urban freshwater no 280 point sources no
  tides no yes
EastCoast2001 Mukai et al. 2002
yes
EastCoast2001 Mukai et al. 2002
  subtidal open boundary conditions GS ring and front analysis feature model, SST, and dynamic adjustment (Brown et al. 2007a,b) subtidal sea level from NOAA ETSURGE , temp/salt from World Ocean Atlas Global 1/12 deg HyCOM with NCODA SSH/SST/Argo assimilation (Chassignet et al. 2009)
ASSIMILATION method sequential Optimal Interpolation
Brown et al. 2007a,b
sequential Optimal Interpolation 4D variational strong constraint
Zhang et al. 2010
REAL-TIME FORECAST   since Mar 2009 since Jan 2007 since Sep 2009
  cycle interval 7 days 1 day 1 day
  duration 5 days 2 days 3 days
OUTPUT data sent to EDS yes yes yes
  CF-compliant output data server Link Link Link
  numeric output interval 3-hour snapshots 10-minute averages 2-hour snapshots
2-hour averages
  online browse plots Link Link Link
  ncWMS interactive plots Link Link Link
  google earth overlays   Link Link
CONTACT PERSON science Avijit Gangopadhyay Alan Blumberg John Wilkin
  model output data server Andre Schmidt Nickitas Georgas David Robertson

Regional Coastal Observing Systems: Alaska • 
Caribbean • 
Central and Northern California • 
Great Lakes • 
Gulf of Mexico • 
Pacific Islands • 
Mid-Atlantic • 
Northeast-Atlantic • 
Pacific Northwest • 
Southern California • 
Southeast-Atlantic • 
National Federation of Regional Associations for Coastal and Ocean Observing
National Observing System Partners: Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT)Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA)
Integrated Ocean Observing System IOOS