An ocean model's response to scatterometer winds

Two simulations of the North Atlantic have been run using the POP ocean model for approximately two and one half years each. One simulation used the 1.25° wind product from ECMWF and the other used the JPL Quikscat 0.25° gridded product. The resulting sea level anomaly fields from the simulations are quantified by using tide gauge and altimetric sea level anomaly data. In addition, upper ocean quantities were compared, such as the mix layer depths, to understand the difference in the ocean's response when using the different wind products. The analysis found that significant improvements were made in the representation at the surface, and in particular areas where comparison data exists such as the Labrador Sea. There was also improvement in the scatterometer forced run with more realistic depths of the mixed layer.