SWORDFISH 2001: um estudo das condições oceanográficas ao largo do Cabo de São Vicente (costa SW de Portugal) usando modelos com assimilação de dados = SWORDFISH 2001: a study of the oceanographic conditions off Cape São Vicente (SW Portugal) using data assimilation models

Abstract

The region offshore cape S. Vicente, in the SW tip of Portugal, is characterised by cO/J1plex coastline and topography. Recently (April 2001), a navy exercise - Sworc!fish 2001 - was conducted by the Portuguese navy in this area. Forecasts of the oceanographic conditions were provided to the navy forces through a combination of hydrographic observations and modelling using an oceanographic liumerical model with data assimilation (HOPS). High resolution wind. fields, provided by a limited area meteorological model (A LA DIN), were used in the numerical simulations. The period covered was characterised by northerly winds and upwelling conditions along the western Portuguese coast. The Sworc!fish 2001 data set and numerical COI?figurations are presently being used to explore details of the upwelling dynamics around the Cape sao Vicente region. 111 this paper we discuss some preliminary results from this study, focussing the period between J 8 and 28 April, which comprise an event of 2 days of inversion of the upwelling conditions.