Quantifying the Synergy Between Different Components of an Ocean Observing Array in a Near Real-time Ocean Analysis-Forecast System

Assessing the contribution and interplay between observations from different platforms in an ocean analysis-forecast system is often masked by the complexities of the data assimilation system. In this presentation we explore the synergy between different types of observations in a 4D-Var data assimilation system by computing the direct impact of the observations on different aspects of ocean state estimates, and their sensitivity to variations in the observation values. The specific focus is the Mid-Atlantic Bight and the analysis-forecast system used is run in near real-time in support of U.S. IOOS. It will be demonstrated how observations from different observing platforms provide corroborating information about features of the ocean circulation, and how in this way the different elements of the ocean observing system are able to borrow strength from each other.