The California Current System: A multiscale overview and the development of a feature-oriented regional modeling system (FORMS)

► A multiscale overview of the California Current System (CCS) is presented. ► A feature oriented regional modeling system (FORMS) for the CCS is developed. ► Model initialized with FORMS are more realistic than those with climatology. ► FORMS simulations provided low salinity core, realistic EKE inshore of CTZ. ► FORMS simulations provided realistic subsurface eddies and deep poleward flows.