Application of an accurate advection algorithm to sea-ice modelling

Modern numerical sea-ice models contain detailed parameterizations of dynamic and thermodynamic processes affecting ice distribution and thickness. However, nearly all such models advect sea ice in response to wind and ocean forcing using either upstream or centered-difference methods, whose deficiencies are well known. We describe application of the second-order moment advection scheme of Prather [J. Geophys. Res. 91 (1986) 6671]. In idealized tests this method produces relatively distinct ice edges while maintaining positive ice thicknesses and concentrations. Sensitivity of an Arctic circulation model forced by climatological data is described.