Description and validation of a three-dimensional numerical model of the nordic and Barents Seas

Abstract

As a part of the VEINS project, IMR carries out both a numerical model study of the seasonal and interannual variability of the flow through the Barents Sea and an observational programme at the Bear Island-Fugløya section. A numerical simulation with realistic wind forcing covering the period November 1996 to April 1998 has been performed, and the results of this simulation are compared to observations. The numerical ocean model results are generally in reasonable agreement with the observations, and the simulated transports across the Bear Island-Fugløya section are in accordance with previous knowledge. A weakness of the present version of the model is the lack of ice modelling, and the model performance in areas of ice formation and strong thermodynarnical forcing is unsatisfying. However, after a scheduled inclusion of an ice model, the model performance is expected to improve significantly in the Barents Sea.