Modelling of the Arctic Ocean and Labrador Sea at 1/60th Degree

Our group has carried out simulations of the Labrador Sea at 1/60th and shown that very-high resolution significantly improves the model solution. That resolution, by representing the mesoscale and part of the sub-mesoscale significantly improves the simulation of boundary current system, eddies and shelf-basin exchange, with the small-scale processes combining to also improve the large-scale circulation and overturning. Given such improvements for the Labrador Sea, we now examine modelling the entire Arctic Ocean and the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean north of 53N latitude. The configuration is named ARC60. The experiment also includes an iceberg module and tidal forcing. 

Here we present some of our ongoing analysis using the two very high resolution configurations and how it changes the solution compared to lower resolution simulations. We explore questions related to water formation in the Labrador Sea and Greenland melt, behavior of the Labrador Current and the Deep Western Boundary Current. We also explore the impact of Greenland runoff on driving coastal seasonal features in Melville Bay. Finally we look at eddies and small scale processes in the Arctic Ocean and Beaufort Gyre.