Operational hydrodynamic numerical model covering Sri Lanka waters

Abstract

As a part of ongoing project on development of operational hydrodynamic model covering Sri Lanka Waters and Northern Indian Ocean (67.5- 99.5 E and 1.5 S to 24.5 N), we employed a Princeton Ocean Model, NOAA (POM 08) to simulate wind driven circulation, sea surface topography, sea level setup, upwelling and possible storm surge conditions. The JEBCO0.5 min bathymetry was interpolated to generate high resolution horizontal and vertical grid domain. For the model initial salinity and temperature data were extracted from World Ocean Atlas 2005 (WOA '05). Seasonal wind driven circulation simulations were carried out by forcing monthly mean NCEP climatologically winds. Experimental model runs were carried out with different wind speeds and directions to examine the possible storm surge conditions. The model runs with SW winds reveals significant sea level setup on the Bangladesh coast. The model results of SSH are compared with observational data from the TOPEX altimeter. The model successfully captures many of the important circulation features observed in the region. This includes the reversing wind driven circulation, upwelling off south of Sri Lanka during SW monsoon, strong currents south of Sri Lanka. The long term goal of this project is the establishment of an operational hydrodynamic model to forecast physical process including storm surge conditions covering Sri Lanka Waters and Northern Indian Ocean.