CMB: Weekly Pacific Ocean Hindcast

The hindcast results are derived from a model based ocean analysis system. Observed surface and subsurface ocean temperatures as well as satellite altimetry sea-level data from TOPEX/POSEIDON are assimilated into a Pacific basin ocean general circulation model. The model is forced with weekly mean NCEP operational atmospheric analyses of surface winds and heat fluxes.

Surface Stresses and Equatorial Currents

7-day average surface wind stress for the tropical Pacific and zonal currents along the equator. Contour intervals are indicated in the figure.

Figures: Feb 02 2005 , Jan 26 2005 , Jan 19 2005 , Jan 12 2005 , Jan 05 2005

Upper Ocean Temperature and Anomaly Along the Equator

7-day average equatorial depth-longitude section of ocean temperature (upper) and ocean temperature anomalies (lower) for the week indicated on the figure. Dashed contours in the lower panel indicate negative (cold) temperature anomalies.

Figures: Feb 02 2005 , Jan 26 2005 , Jan 19 2005 , Jan 12 2005 , Jan 05 2005

Anonymous ftp access to realtime weekly analyses for the Pacific.

Contact: Dr. Hua-Lu Pan , Hualu.Pan@noaa.gov for further details.

References

Behringer, D. W., M. Ji, and A. Leetmaa, 1998: An Improved coupled model for ENSO prediction and implications for ocean initialization. Part I: The ocean data assimilation system. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126, 1013-1021.

Ji, M., A. Leetmaa, and J. Derber, 1995: An ocean analysis system for seasonal to interannual climate studies. Mon. Wea. Rev., 123, 460-481.

Ji, M., and T. M. Smith, 1995: Ocean model response to temperature data and varying surface wind stress: Intercomparisons and Implications for climate forecast. Mon. Wea. Rev., 123, 1811-1821.