Patrick Hogan, Naval Research Lab.
Several HYCOM simulations for the Gulf of Mexico are used to elucidate the dynamics of the Gulf and explore the sensitivity to parameter space and nested boundary conditions. The simulations have 20 layers in the vertical and 1/12 or 1/25 degree horizontal resolution and are forced with 6-hourly NOGAPS winds and fluxes and boundary conditions from a 1/12 HYCOM Atlantic simulation during 2000 and 2001. All simulations depict a realistic Loop Current and realistic Loop Current Eddy shedding. Upwelling is observed near the Yucatan consistent with observations. Emphasis is placed on the role of cyclones in cross-shelf exchange in the northeastern Gulf.