Application of the Bounded Derivative Initialization Method

Abstract

The utility of the bounded derivative method (BDM) as an initialization tool was examined using real data and the GLAS fourth order global barotropic model. Two constraints on initial data were derived. The first constraint based on the BDM is an equation for calculating initial divergence. The second constraint yields an additional equation of elliptic type for computing the initial height field. This equation is more general than the balance equation first proposed by Charney (1955). It also has more terms which include the contributions of initial divergence and orography. The development of a data insertion scheme based on the BDM is discussed.