Main Contributors:
W. Timothy Liu and Hua Hu (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Xiaofeng Li (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration)

Atmospheric circulation over coastal oceans and marginal seas are strongly modified by land, with small-scale or tansient features. In situ measurements and operational numerical weather forecast do not provide adequate coverage and resolution to sufficiently resolve these phenomena for forcing ocean circulation models near the coast. Three examples of our studies of these atmospheric features are presented below. The continuous improvement in the spatial resolution sensors which see through clouds is opening up new opportunities in coastal studies.

Catalina Eddy

Lee Waves

Mountain Jets