1Simulation of ice-ocean dynamics in the Weddell Sea. Part I: Model conguration and validation

coupled sea ice-ocean model, based on a dynamic-thermodynamic sea ice-model and the S-coordinate Primitive Equation Model (SPEM) has been developed. The model is run on a circumpolar grid which is focussed on the Weddell Sea. It includes the major Antarctic ice shelves; ice shelf-ocean interaction is described by the sea ice-model's thermodynamic component. Numerical simulations are forced with 6-hourly data of the ECMWF-reanalysis of the period 1985-1993 and validated against observations of hydrography as well as sea ice extent, thickness and drift. Qualitatively and quantitatively, a good agreement with observations is achieved. The basin-wide circulation features a double-cell structure of the Weddell Gyre with maximum transports close to recent observations. Summer sea ice coverage is underestimated but winter ice extent as well as sea ice thickness and drift are well reproduced. The importance of the high latitude oceans as water mass transformation regions has motivated numerous studies on ocean circulation, sea ice{ocean interaction and variability of these processes on seasonal and interannual time scales. Most observational and modeling activities are focussed on the Arctic Ocean [see Aagaard and Carmack, 1994, for an overview]; much less has been done in th