Improvements in turbulence model realizability for enhanced stability of ocean forecast and its importance for downstream components

Abstract

AbstractThe numerical stability of ocean circulation models is of high significance in operational forecasting. A substantial improvement in numerical stability of the 3D-ocean model HBM could be achieved by the implementation of new realizability criteria in the turbulence closure scheme. Realizability criteria which were already well documented for closure functions without double diffusion were therefore extended to those using double diffusion. A purely technical validation method called ε-test which is suitable for the detection of numerical stability problems is presented, and the effect of the development in turbulence model is demonstrated under severe weather conditions during extreme storm events. Evaluation of statistics of longer simulations indicate that instabilities appeared only locally and temporary; nevertheless, a significant impact on drift products relying on the current forecasts could be demonstrated, which underlines the importance of realizability in turbulence closure schemes in comprehensive operational model systems including ocean circulation and downstream drift components.