Basin Scale Ocean Prediction With The Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model

Eddy-resolving simulations of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans were performed using the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM at 1/120 ( -1 km mid- latitude) resolution. HYCOM is isopycnal in the open, straqfied ocean, but makes a dynamically smooth transition to a terrain-following coordinate in shallow water and to pressure coordinates in the mixed layer and/or unstratified regions via the layered continuity equation. This approach retains the advantages that each individual vertical coordinate system offers. After a series offree-running simulations, a data assimilative version of the 1/l20 Atlantic HYCOM has been developed into a near real-time nowcast/forecast system. Sea surface height analyses of available satellite altimeter data are assimilated into the model. A nowcast and a 10-day forecast are produced each week Near real-time results are available via the HYCOM consortium for data assimilative ocean modeling web page at http.//hycom. rsmas. miami. edu.