Publication Abstract

The response of the Irish Sea to boundary and wind forcing: results from a three-dimensional hydro-dynamic model

A.M. Davies and J. Lawrence

A three dimensional, nonlinear hydrodynamic model of the Irish Sea is used to examine the response of the region to forcing along its open boundary and wind stress over the area. The model has a grid resolution of the order of 3 km and hence can resolve some features of the nearshore region. The model is forced with M₂ tidal input along its open boundary, and time invariant wind fields, corresponding initially to spatially uniform northerly and westerly wind stresses of 1 N/m² and subsequently to a west-east gradient wind changing from -1 N/m² to +1 N/m² going from west to east, and a north-south gradient wind changing from 1 N/m² to -1 N/m² going from north to south. The response to open boundary forcing through both elevations and currents is also examined, and the influence of the effects of enhanced bottom friction due to wind waves is also briefly considered.

Reference:

A.M. Davies and J. Lawrence, 1995. The response of the Irish Sea to boundary and wind forcing: results from a three-dimensional hydro-dynamic model. Journal of Geophysical Research, 99(C11): 22665-22687.