Abstract:
Strong wind jets through the gaps of coastal mountains are known to excite strong response in the coastal ocean. Because of the narrow width, their structures are not well revealed either by operational NWP or in situ measurements. Wind field with sufficient resolution has not been available to force realistic simulation by ocean general circulation models. Using high resolution QuikSCAT winds shown in the figure, the model developed by Tony Song was used to simulate the upwelling caused by the wind jets through the mountain gaps of Tehuantepec and Papagayo in Central America, with realistic results.

Reference:
Liu, W.T., 2002: Progress in scatterometer application, J. Oceanogr., 58, 121-136.

Liu, W.T., H. Hu, Y.T. Song, and W. Tang, 2001: Improvement of scatterometer wind vectors - impact on hurricane and coastal studies. Proc. WCRP/SCOR Workshop of Airsea Flux Validation, World Climate Research Programme, Geneva.