Surface circulation patterns in the Ibiza channel from HF Radar Data: Initial results and QC procedures

A high Frequency (HF) Radar system which consists of two CODAR stations located in Ibiza and Formentera Islands provides real time information of the variability of surface circulation patterns in the Ibiza Channel. The HF Radar system operates operationally since June 2012 up to now, providing hourly surface current maps with a spatial resolution of approximately 3 km and a coverage up to 70 km offshore. Radial data from each antenna, as well as the combined total surface currents are Quality-Controlled in order to ensure that the data being produced is of the highest quality. We will review here the automated Quality Control procedures implemented at the SOCIB HF Radar Facility. Moreover, the results from an initial validation of HF Radar data performed by comparison against drifter-derived velocities , satellite altimetry data and a fixed buoy current meter will be shown here. Finally, a quantitave description of the spatial patterns observed by the HF Radar at different temporal scales (inertial, sub-inertial and tidal) and their contribution to the total kinetic energy (KE) has been analysed for the first time and will be presented here. These results will be discussed in relation to the atmospheric forcing and the regional bathymetry. In the last part of the talk, future validation experiments (summer 2014) and possible scientific and operational explotation of the HF Radar data will be discussed.