An argo-based model for investigation of the Global Ocean (AMIGO)

We analyze the newly developed Argo-Based Model for Investigation of the Global Ocean (AMIGO), which consists of a block for variational interpolation of the profiles of drifting Argo floats to a regular grid and a block for model hydrodynamic adjustment of variationally interpolated fields. Such a method makes it possible to obtain a full set of oceanographic characteristics-temperature, salinity, density, and current velocity-using irregularly located Argo measurements. The resulting simulations are represented as monthly mean, seasonal, and annual means and climatological fields. The AMIGO oceanographic database developed at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology from model simulations covers the 10-year period from 2005 to 2014. Analysis of transport variations in the propagation of North Atlantic Current jets to the Arctic based on the AMIGO data showed that during this period, anomalous winter transports were observed, which correlate with anomalous winter temperatures in regions of northwestern Europe, northern European Russia, and Iceland, which are subjected to the influence of these currents. Comparative analysis of variations in mass and heat transport by the currents and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index in the period of 2005-2014 shows a well pronounced correlation between them. The low winter values of the NAO index correspond to the low values of winter transports by the Faroe-Shetland branch of the North Atlantic current, and usually, to the high values of winter transports by the North Icelandic branch of the Irminger Current. High winter value of the NAO index results in a substantial increase in the winter transport by the Faroe-Shetland branch of the North Atlantic Current without notable influence on the transport of the North Icelandic branch of the Irminger Current.