Development and Applications of a Coupled Circulation-Ice Modelling System with Nesting Capacity for the Northwest Atlantic

A coupled circulation-ice modelling system with multi-grid nesting capacity was developed for the northwest Atlantic (CCIMS-nwA) based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) and Los Alamos Sea Ice Model (CICE). CCIMS-nwA is forced by reanalysis-derived atmospheric fields at the surface, tidal forcing, inflows and ice conditions specified at lateral open boundaries, riverine freshwater discharges, and continental runoff due to melting of ice and snow over land. Different nested-grid setups were used based on requirements of different projects. Performance of CCIMS-nwA is assessed using the in-situ oceanographic observations, satellite remote sensing data, and ocean reanalysis. Model results in three applications demonstrate the feasibility and skills of CCIMs-nwA in simulating both the large-scale hydrodynamics over the eastern Canadian shelf and fine-resolution currents and hydrography over coastal waters.