Evaluating the Ocean Response to Hurricanes Irma and Florence in the ECMWF Model

Elizabeth Sanabia1, Kristian Mogensen2, Steven R Jayne3, Linus Magnusson2, Casey Densmore4, Grace Rovira-Melendez1 and Suwen Jordan Sun1, (1)US Naval Academy, Department of Oceanography, Annapolis, MD, United States, (2)European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom, (3)WHOI, Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole, MA, United States, (4)WHOI, Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole, United States
Abstract:
The ocean response to the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Florence is evaluated in three versions of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) coupled atmosphere-waves-ocean model with different atmosphere and ocean resolutions. Model atmospheric conditions are evaluated against aircraft observations and the National Hurricane Center Best Track data. Model ocean conditions are compared to ALAMO float observations collected across the track of each storm. Differences emerge with model resolution, storm representation, and initial ocean conditions and are explored during the period of maximum intensity in each hurricane.
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