Some results of a numerical experiment concerning the wind-driven flow through the Straits of Dover

Abstract

In this paper the wind-driven flow of water through the Straits of Dover is studied with a numerical model. The main goal is to get some insight into the effect of the specific configuration of the Straits of Dover region on the wind-driven flow from the Channel into the North Sea. For 18 wind directions the steady-state solutions and response times are presented. The results of a 21-day model run are compared with those of computing the transport with the steady-state solutions. Except for periods with a very rapidly changing wind field, the steady-state approximation appears to be good.