Oceanographic results from the assimilation of ERS-1 altimetric data in SOAP93 forecasting system

The French “Service Hydrographique et Oceanographique de la Maritime” (SHOM) is conducting a term program called SOAP. It aims at oceanic mesoscale variability, in real time. SOAP uses remote sensing data, in-situ data and ocean models. The authors present long time series of oceanographic results obtained during 1992 and 1993 assimilating ERS-1 altimeter data in a quasi-geostrophic model of the Azores front region. These results are discussed in terms of dynamical regime and seasonal variability of the Azores front. The results are also compared to in-situ data from the SEMAPHORE multidisciplinary oceanographic cruise during summer and fall 1993. The very good agreement between forecast results from SOAP and in-situ data as well as the capability of such a system to monitor mesoscale variability and to reproduce seasonal variability are very encouraging