The Beaufort/Chukchi region represents a highly complex geographical environment that is understandably difficult to accurately model. It comprises highly varying topography, bounded in the south by the Brooks Range, and sea ice is a constantly changing presence in the ocean, experiencing seasonal growth, decay, and transport. In addition, due to its remote nature, observations are sparse throughout the area, further complicating efforts to accurately simulate mesoscale meteorology in the region. To address these challenges, a strategy was designed to conduct this study though the combined efforts of data collection and numerical modeling. An extensive data collection and quality control effort was organized, including the first-ever deployment of a stationary meteorological buoy in the Beaufort Sea. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used to produce numerical simulations of the Beaufort/Chukchi mesoscale meteorology at a grid spacing of 10 km. A thorough effort to test various model physics, analysis nudging, and data assimilation techniques was performed in an attempt to optimize the model configuration for use in the study area, including the coupling of a new thermodynamic sea ice model with WRF. Collected data have been used for both data assimilation and model verification. A 5-year (20059) experimental reanalysis simulation with the optimized model and assimilation configuration has been carried out, in preparation for the production of a final 31-year (19792009) reanalysis to be available for public distribution in 2012. The results of the experimental reanalysis demonstrate significant improvements in representing surface conditions relative to those produced by the out of the box WRF configuration.
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