DIECAST model simulation of the California coastal zone

Abstract

The high resolution DIECAST ocean model is used to simulate mesoscale variability in the California coastal zone. This simulation uses realistic topography and coastal geometry with boundary forcing only in the form of an equatorward-flowing jet, structured after observations, imposed at the northern boundary. The mesoscale features produced by the model are qualitatively consistent with those seen in observations. Their spatial scales are somewhat larger and their intensities somewhat weaker than in observations. The jet imposed at the northern boundary increases in horizontal and vertical scale as it meanders south through the domain. Cyclones and anticyclones are shown to have preferred locations and a general tendency for non-steady southwestward propagation with a phase speed of about 10 cm/s.