A model for ocean circulation on the Iberian coast

We used a three-dimensional model with generic vertical coordinate to investigate the structure of flow and transports on the Iberian shelf-slope region. Two different types of experiments were conducted. The first was a process-oriented study to investigate the role of thermohaline forcing in the generation and meridional variability of the poleward slope current. The second experiment was a more realistic simulation for the year of 1994, a period for which there are several long-term current meter data sets available. Comparisons between model, data and other published works have shown a reasonable agreement both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results obtained included the seasonal cycle with upwelling during the summer and a winter surface poleward current over the shelf, with a permanent undercurrent transporting Mediterranean Water along the Portuguese and Spanish slopes. The along-slope transports were predominant especially in the OMEX II–II study area. The meridional transport is poleward all year round, decreasing from winter to summer and from the south to the north.