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NPCREP Bering Sea Ice Model Results

Summary of Bering Sea modeling

Image of Ice Coverage in 1960, week 9, Gulf of Alaska, 
Bering Sea, and Bering Strait The modeling component of NPCREP presently employs a 10-km resolution model which spans the entire Bering Sea, based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS, Haidvogel et al 2000, Schepetkin and McWilliams 2005). ROMS is a primitive equation, free-surface model constructed with curvilinear-orthogonal horizontal coordinates and stretched vertical coordinates (further details available at the ROMS website). The stretched vertical coordinate system (here, 30 levels) is utilized for enhanced resolution of both surface and bottom boundary layers. The full domain of the model includes the Northeast Pacific (NEP) from Baja California through the Bering Strait, and extends from the coast to ~2000 km offshore. This domain is nested within a larger one, spanning the entire North Pacific at ~40-km resolution. This version of ROMS has been expanded to include ice dynamics as implemented by P. Budgell (pers. comm.). Our hindcasts are driven by NCEP winds and heat fluxes, with corrections to the NCEP shortwave flux based on meteorological mooring data from the Bering Sea (Ladd and Bond, 2002). In collaboration with E. Curchitser, we have developed model hindcasts for the period 1996-2003 which do an excellent job of capturing the observed interannual variability of ice cover in the Bering Sea (see Figs 1 and 2). More recently we have completed hindcasts for 1960-1970. Related simulations have been used for Lagrangian tracking of fish larvae. A finer-scale (3-km) version of the Bering Sea model will be developed in the coming year, contingent on the availability of funds. This newer version will include tidal dynamics.


Ice Model Output Animation 1960-1969
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Figure 1.  Spatially nested ROMS domains for the North Pacific. Mean grid spacing is indicated for each domain; possible future grids and resolutions are also noted. Figure 2. Hindcast (red) versus observed (blue) total ice cover in the Bering Sea for the period 1996-2004. The smooth blue line indicates the annual average observed ice cover.
Spatially nested ROMS domains for the North Pacific. Hindcast (red) versus observed (blue) total ice cover in the Bering Sea for the period 1996-2004.


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