Verification of a coupled ice ocean forecasting system for the Newfoundland shelf |
| |
| Authors: | T Yao CL Tang T Carrieres DH Tran |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Ocean Sciences Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada , Bedford Institute of Oceanography , P.O. Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2 E-mail: tyao@hp200ice.bio.dfo.ca;2. Ocean Sciences Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada , Bedford Institute of Oceanography , P.O. Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2;3. Canadian Ice Service , Environment Canada , Ottawa, Ontario |
| |
| Abstract: | Abstract A coupled ice, ocean model for forecasting ice conditions on the Newfoundland shelf region is assessed by comparing hindcasts with satellite‐tracked ice beacon displacements and with changes in offshore ice edge location, ice thickness and southern ice extent derived from ice charts. The beacon velocity fields contain short timescale fluctuations which are not resolved by the model. The ratio of rms displacement error divided by the rms beacon displacement is 0.48 after 1 day and 0.23 after 8 days. The decrease in the scaled displacement error with increasing time is related to the short timescale motions. The skill in modelling displacement of the offshore ice edge is lower than in modelling ice displacement. Between mid‐February and mid‐April 1997, the effect of ice melt on the ice edge was a mean onshore displacement of 35 km overcoming an offshore advection of 24 km in 5 days. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
