Examinations of Surface Waves and Ocean Circulation During Severe Weather Conditions over the Northwest Atlantic Using a Coupled Wave–Current Modelling System: An Overview

Upper oceans are highly energetic during a severe weather event, with large surface waves and intense ocean currents over areas affected by the storm. An advanced and coupled wave–current modelling system for the northwestern Atlantic (WCMS-NWA) was developed by the Regional Modelling Group at Dalhousie University for simulating surface waves and three-dimensional ocean currents over the eastern Canadian shelf and adjacent waters. Applications of this modelling system during different weather events have been discussed separately in the past. In this overview, the model performances of WCMS-NWA and major hydrodynamics over the study region during 11 severe storms are summarized. Comparisons of model results with in situ oceanographic observations and satellite data demonstrate the suitability and accuracy of WCMS-NWA in simulating ocean circulation and surface waves during normal weather conditions and intense ocean currents and extreme surface waves during severe storm events. It is shown that satisfactory model performance of WCMS-NWA requires reliable temporal–spatial representations of atmospheric forcing and inclusions of interactions between waves and currents (WCIs). Important contributions from WCIs during these severe weather conditions are discussed based on the model results.