Assimilation of high-resolution ice charts in a coupled ocean-sea-ice model

Abstract

In this study, we show assimilation results from a coupled ocean sea-ice model. The model has a horizontal resolution of 2.5 km. In the assimilation system, we assimilate high-resolution ice charts, structured on a 1 km grid. We compare the assimilation of passive microwave observations with the assimilation of ice charts. It is shown that the ice charts have a larger impact on the assimilation system than the passive microwave observations. In addition, a few results from the assimilation system with ice charts are shown. These indicate improvements for the assimilation system assimilating ice charts compared to a free-run without assimilation and an assimilation system assimilating passive microwave observations.