Ocean Sci., 15, 967–996, 2019 https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-967-2019 © Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Skill assessment of global, regional, and coastal circulation forecast models: evaluating the benefits of dynamical downscaling in IBI (Iberia–Biscay–Ireland) surface waters Pablo Lorente1,2, Marcos García-Sotillo2, Arancha Amo-Baladrón1,2, Roland Aznar1,2, Bruno Levier3, José C. Sánchez-Garrido4, Simone Sammartino4, Álvaro de Pascual-Collar1,2, Guillaume Reffray3, Cristina Toledano1,2, and Enrique Álvarez-Fanjul2 1Nologin Consulting S.L., Zaragoza, 50018, Spain 2Puertos del Estado, Madrid, 28042, Spain 3Mercator Ocean, Toulouse, 31520, France 4Physical Oceanography Group of University of Málaga, Málaga, 29071, Spain Correspondence: Pablo Lorente (
[email protected]) Received: 31 December 2018 – Discussion started: 17 January 2019 Revised: 19 June 2019 – Accepted: 25 June 2019 – Published: 22 July 2019 Abstract. In this work, a multi-parameter inter-comparison to reproduce a 2 d quasi-permanent full reversal of the AJ of diverse ocean forecast models was conducted at the surface inflow was examined in terms of wind-induced cir- sea surface ranging from global to local scales in a two- culation patterns. SAMPA appeared to better reproduce the phase stepwise strategy. Firstly, a comparison of CMEMS reversal events detected with HFR estimations, demonstrat- GLOBAL and the nested CMEMS IBI regional system was ing the added value of imposing accurate meteorologically performed against satellite-derived and in situ observations. driven barotropic velocities in the open boundaries (imported Results highlighted the overall benefits of both the GLOBAL from the NIVMAR (Álvarez-Fanjul et al., 2001) storm surge direct data assimilation in open water and the increased hori- model) to take into account the remote effect of the atmo- zontal resolution of IBI in coastal areas.