The mean barotropic circulation on the Newfoundland shelf and slope

We present results of a numerical model calculation of the barotropic mean circulation in the Grand Banks region of the continental shelf off eastern Canada. The modeled circulation is compared with available current data and shows qualitative and some quantitative agreement. The model accounts for the general flow of the Labrador Current along the shelf edge, its splitting into two branches north of Flemish Pass and south of Cabot Strait, and the circulation over the Grand Banks. On the other hand, it underestimates the strength of the clockwise circulation over Flemish Cap and the width of the Labrador Current. It is also possible that neglect of the influence of the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Current gives rise to local discrepancies between observed and modeled flows.