ROMS dataset to investigate the effect of tidal forcing

The model used is the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS), a realistic three-dimensional oceanographic model that solves the primitive equations with a stretched terrain-following vertical coordinate. The model domain spans the entire Mozambique Channel eddies as well as the Mozambique Channel outflow into the Agulhas current near 24 S. It encompasses the region 30 E - 50 E and 5 S - 35 S with a 1/12 degree horizontal resolution. The model bathymetry was derived from the Global Earth Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) 1-resolution dataset. The vertical grid was divided into 40 terrain-following layers.

Boundary conditions are extracted from the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation reanalysis data (SODA) v2.1.6 over a 1990-2008 interannual simulations. The daily averaged surface forcing used in the ROMS simulation is derived from the NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR).

The model is integrated for 18 years and the full 1990-2008 period is analysed at a daily resolution.

The "roms_Mmean_tides.nc" is the first experiment conducted including tidal forcing. Barotropic tides were introduced at the model lateral open boundaries using a flather radiation condition to force velocities and sea surface elevations from the TPXO global tidal solution.

The "roms_Mmean_notides.nc" is the second experiment conducted without tidal forcing.