Climatology and interannual variability simulated by the ARPEGE-OPA coupled model

A 10-year simulation with a coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model (CGCM) is presented. The model consists of the climate version of the Météo-France global forecasting model, ARPEGE, coupled to the LODYC oceanic model, OPA, by the CERFACS coupling package OASIS. The oceanic component is dynamically active over the tropical Pacific, while climatological time-dependent sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are prescribed outside of the Pacific domain. The coupled model shows little drift and exhibits a very regular seasonal cycle. The climatological mean state and seasonal cycle are well simulated by the coupled model. In particular, the oceanic surface current pattern is accurately depicted and the location and intensity of the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC) are in good agreement with available data. The seasonal cycle of equatorial SSTs captures quite realistically the annual harmonic. Some deficiencies remain including a weak zonal equatorial SST gradient, underestimated wind stress over the Pacific equatorial band and an additional inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) south of the equator in northern winter and spring. Weak interannual variability is present in the equatorial SST signal with a maximum amplitude of 0.5°C.

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