A three-dimensional circulation prediction system around the Korean peninsula

Abstract

Current systems in the south coast of Korea are complex and relatively strong owing to a combination of geological features and tidal effects. Although it is not a very wide area, the flow patterns of the eastern side and western side are quite different. In the western part of the south coast of Korea, there are strong tidal currents with speeds of more than 3 m/s during spring tides. On the other hand, the southeast coast has relatively weak tidal current although the Tsushima Current, a branch of the Kuroshio that flows toward the northeast, affects it constantly. Thus, it is very difficult to predict the currents in the south coast of Korea. The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology has been conducting the KOOS (Korea Operational Oceanographic System) project since 2009, which includes a three-dimensional circulation prediction system that calculates tidal and oceanic effects around the Korean peninsula. Since 2016, a three-dimensional circulation prediction system with a spatial resolution of 300 m has been constructed for coastal waters around the Korean peninsula. The MOHID model is used as the circulation model in this system. The results of FES2014 are used as harmonic constants at open boundary conditions while the results of KOOS-OPEM (Ocean Predictability Experiment for Marine environment) are used as the initial conditions in the system. The Weather Research and Forecasting model is used for at