Ocean Sub-Surface Observing Network XBT Used TAO/PIRATA Used (T Used, S and U for validation) Argo Used (T,S, Some do not use Salinity) Altimeter Used by some (Benefit ?, Mean sea level) SST Usually nudged – should be assimilated SSS from Satellite – not yet good enough ? Drifters Could be used for validation Currents e.g. TAO used for validation Use of observations: Assimilation sophistication (Univariate, Multivariate, 2D,3D,4D, Coupled) Model/forcing Bias correction/Shock Big problem – Non-stationarity
Impact of Ocean Observations
Simulation of El Nino The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research A partnership between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology
Simulation of El Nino SST ECMWF PEODAS GODAS EN3 The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research A partnership between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology
SST HEAT CONT SSS Salt Cont Surf Current Simulation of El Nino SST HEAT CONT SSS Salt Cont Surf Current ECMWF PEODAS GODAS ENACT The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research A partnership between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology What is truth ?
Observations in the Tropical Indian Ocean (TRIO) The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research A partnership between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology
Indian Ocean Temperature Salinity Pre- Argo Argo The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research A partnership between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology
Salinity assimilation Significant co-variance between T & S particularly associated with thermocline variability This can be exploited pre Argo Produced by Robin Wedd The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research A partnership between CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology
Decadal Prediction
Decal prediction: Other differences Seasonal well known modes of variability (ENSO, IOD etc) Decadal deep ocean variability in North Atlantic, but no clear modes in southern hemisphere (e.g.for Australia) Seasonal memory for relatively well observed upper ocean Decadal depends on less well observed deeper ocean Atlantic Meridional overturning circulation in GFDL model Argo is essential Zhang et al 2007