Impacts of high resolution model downscaling in coastal regions

Increased model resolution was found to better capture the position and strength of the freshwater front. However, instabilities along the front such as the tidal excursion led to large temporal and spatial variability in its position in the highest resolution model. By examining the spatial structure of the baroclinic Rossby radius in each model we identify which lengthscales are being resolved at different resolutions. In this dynamic environment it is more valuable to represent the governing time and space scales, rather than relying on strict point by point tests when evaluating model skill.