The eastern Atlantic barotropic dynamics (in a region spanning from 20
degrees N to 48 degrees N and 34 degrees W to 0 degrees) are studied
through numerical modelling and in situ measurements. The main source
of data is the tidal gauge network REDMAR, managed by Clima Maritimo (
Puertos del Estado). The numerical model employed is the HAMSOM, devel
oped both by the Institut fur Meereskunde (Hamburg University) and Cli
ma Maritime. In this paper, tidal and storm surge dynamics are studied
for the region, focusing particularly on the nonlinear transfer of en
ergy between the different forcings. The results of tidal simulations
show good agreement between semidiurnal harmonic components and the va
lues obtained from the tidal gauges (both coastal and pelagic) and cur
rent metres. The nonlinear transfers of energy from semidiurnal to hig
her order harmonics, such as M4 and M6, were mapped. Those transfers w
ere found to be important in only two areas: The French continental sh
elf in the Bay of Biscay and the widest part of the African shelf, sou
th of Cabo Bojador. The modelled diurnal constituents show larger rela
tive differences with measurements than semidiurnal harmonics, especia
lly in data concerning the phase. A method to isolate the nonlinear tr
ansfers of energy between tidal and atmospheric forcing during a storm
surge was developed. These transfers were found to be significant in
the same areas where tidal nonlinear activity was present. The effect
of short period wind generated waves on sea surface elevation was also
investigated. The magnitude of the spatial derivatives of radiation s
tress was compared with wind-induced stress. As a result of this compa
rison, we found the inclusion of a forcing term that depends on radiat
ion stress in ocean model simulations at this scale and resolution to
be not essential. The effect of computing wind-induced stresses, with
a formulation that explicitly depends on sea state, was also explored
by means of a coupled run of the HAMSOM and the spectral wave model WA
M for a storm surge event in the Spanish coast. This formulation was n
ot found to be an improvement over a classical parameterisation which
only depends on wind fields. (C) Elsevier, Paris