Integration of high-frequency radar observations with 2dvar data assimilation for enhanced ocean model predictability: a case study of the pasaia port

Abstract

This study enhances ocean model predictability in the southeastern Bay of Biscay region, with specific focus on Pasaia port, through the integration of high-frequency (HF) radar observations into the Iberian-Biscay-Irish (IBI) product from Copernicus Marine Service. We implement a twodimensiona variational (2DVAR) data assimilation scheme utilizing HF radar measurements provided by AZTI. The assimilation performance is evaluated against independent insitu buoy observations in the target area. The optimized IBI outputs serve as boundary conditions for the MOHID ocean model, developed by RIVAS PROTECT, ultimately improving regional ocean state predictions.