An ocean modelling system with turbulent boundary layers and topography: numerical description

Abstract

Abstract The Sandia ocean modelling system (SOMS) is a system of three‐dimensional, fully conservative, partially implicit numerical models based on primitive equations and a staggered Arakawa ‘c’ grid. A thin‐shell bottom boundary layer submodel coupled to a free‐stream submodel resolves boundary layers together with realistic topography. Both submodels use stretched vertical co‐ordinates and an optional Mellor‐Yamada level‐2·5 turbulence closure. Rigid top pressures are determined by vertical integration of the conservation equations using a hydrostatic approximation. SOMS reproduces previously published results, but with notable advantages in speed and economy.