On the consistent scaling of terms in the sea-ice dynamics equation

Connolley, W.M.; Gregory, J.M.; Hunke, E.; McLaren, A.J.

Connolley, W.M.; Gregory, J.M.; Hunke, E.; McLaren, A.J.. 2004 On the consistent scaling of terms in the sea-ice dynamics equation. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 34 (7). 1776-1780. 10.1175/1520-0485(2004)034<1776:OTCSOT>2.0.CO;2

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Abstract

The standard way in which the sea-ice dynamics equation is used in models assumes that the wind stress and ocean drag do not depend on the sea-ice concentration. It is demonstrated that this assumption is inconsistent with the free-drift limit, and how great an effect it has in practice is examined. By examining the momentum balance in the free-drift limit, the authors determine the proper area scaling for the forcing terms, thereby obtaining a more accurate solution, particularly in low-ice-concentration regions.

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