AIDJEX Bulletin #40 - Polar Science Center - University of Washington

ehavior is directly related to accuracy of these input data sets as
well as choice of parameters on the ice model. It is felt that accuracy
of barometric pressure predictions can and should be improved over
present NWS predictions by deploying a modest array of drifting buoys.
The buoys should relay pressure as well as position and be deployed in
a region from shore out to approximately 800 km off the north shore of
Alaska in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas during those times that accurate
predictions are required. In any case, we have seen that the AIDJEX
model has simulated ice response accurately at a time when ice stress
is important (and free-drift velocity predictions are inaccurate), and
errors in the predicted barometric pressure field have introduced only
modest inaccuracies in the ice response for this time.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The work reported here is the result of contributions from many members
of the AIDJEX modeling group. In the original report to the Environmental
Research Laboratories we separated major contributions into appendices for
proper attribution. Those whose contributions are less visible must be
thanked here: Don Thomas, for making the simulations, and Lois Harris, for
generating the graphics.
This work dovetailed with other phases of the overall AIDJEX modeling
efforts which were supported by the National Science Foundation, Division
of Polar Programs, and by the Bureau of Land Management through the OCSEAP
program in an interagency agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. The interaction is apparent from the fact that the baseline
study was funded by OCSEAP and the work determining the effect of boundary
velocity errors was supported jointly by NOAA/ERL and NSF/DPP.
APPENDIX
SURFACE BAROMETRIC PRESSURE ERROR ANALYSIS
R. A. Brown and M. Albright
Since we are determining the driving force on the ice from National
Weather Service prognosticated surface pressure maps, we must evaluate the
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