Analysis of the mesoscale circulation in the occidental Mediterranean Sea during winter 1999–2000 given by a regional circulation model

We present a modelling study of the circulation of the North Western Mediterranean Sea done with a high-resolution regional model (1/16°) embedded in a general circulation model of the Mediterranean Sea of lower resolution (1/8°). Focus is given on coastal and near coastal processes, which are the most sensitive for operational oceanography. The models were forced by 6 h atmospheric fluxes. The regional model was validated over the three-month winter period December 1999–February 2000 by comparing its results with literature, in situ and satellite observations. The hydrology and various features of the circulation on the North Western Mediterranean Sea were reproduced acceptably. This experiment highlights that the downscaling system we dealt with can be used to study a large variety of oceanic features occurring in specific oceanic area. However, the quality of the regional model results are strongly dependent on the quality of the initial state and consequently on the general circulation model.