A fine resolution model of the eastern North Atlantic between the Azores, the Canary Islands and the Gibraltar Strait

The region of the North Atlantic between the Azores, the Canary Islands and the Gibraltar Strait is the subject of the multidisciplinary CANIGO project. A fine resolution primitive equation level model, called the CANIGO regional model, has been constructed to help with the integration of the observations. The model has open boundaries on three sides and at the Strait of Gibraltar. tput from the regional model gives a good representation of the Azores Current, the variability around Madeira, the Canary Current and the associated upwelling, the Cape Ghir and other cool filaments, and the spreading of Mediterranean Water. After passing south of the Azores, the Azores Current splits into two branches. The northern branch meanders towards the Gulf of Cadiz and the Gibraltar Strait, and the southern branch passes south of Madeira and through the Canary Archipelago.