Nonhydrostatic simulations of the regional circulation in the Monterey Bay area

摘要: [1] The regional circulation in the vicinity of Monterey Bay is complex and highly variable. We use a one-way coupled, nonhydrostatic version Dietrich Center for Air Sea Technology (DieCAST) ocean model to simulate circulation. Seasonally varying local wind stress, topographic irregularities, coastal upwelling, forcing from open are all important this region. Satellite imagery often shows cyclonic eddy inside bay an anticyclonic outside bay. offshore also associated with year-round over Submarine Canyon (MSC). better organized during winter. It found that California Undercurrent (200-400 m) does not enter itself but diverted past entrance bay, presumably reform farther north along coast. main branch flows northward contributing deep located approximately 50 km Bay. simulations show vertical motion greater summer than winter, as expected. During spring waters upwell walls canyon then spread mix surrounding waters. enhances mixing significantly due topography. further investigate by comparing it cases where was filled gradually. Vortex stretching just beyond adjacent continental slopes contributes at deeper levels. Vertical sections velocity axis MSC indicate horizontal patterns flow generally consistent observations on