Birol Kara, Alan Wallcraft, Joe Metzger, and Harley Hurlburt, NRL Stennis
Fine resolution global HYCOM simulations are used to analyze sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface height and current speed during Katrina and Rita. Given that the model simulation does not include any data assimilation (i.e., it is free--running atmospherically--forced) Loop Current eddies are not in their observed locations, and so specific attention is given to model-simulated SST in shallow water. Performance of HYCOM during such strong hurricane events are further discussed.