HYCOM mixed layer current field
ECMWF Hawaii modified wind forcing
ECMWF wind forcing
Mean flow field derived
from 356 WOCE drifters,
July 1987-March 1998;
adapted from Flament
et al. (1998) and Lumpkin
(1998)
North Hawaiian
Ridge Current
(NHRC)
Hawaiian Lee
Counter Current
(HLCC)
unrealistic NHRC
excessively strong HLCC extends all the
way to the western boundary
Comparison of Currents Around Hawaii
Composite drifter data vs. 1/12° Pacific HYCOM
more realistic HLCC
somewhat improved NHRC