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[1] Three-dimensional finite element models were established for the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelf to investigate climatological monthly mean wind-and density-driven circulation. The model was forced using wind stresses from the National Center for Environmental Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis data prescribed at the sea surface, large-scale remote forcing determined from a North Atlantic model, monthly mean temperature and salinity climatology, and M 2 tide on the open boundary. The model results were examined against various in situ observations (moored current meter, tide gauge, and vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler data) and satellite drift measurements and discussed together with literature information. The seasonal mean circulation solutions were investigated in terms of relative importance of wind to density forcing for the Labrador Current. The model results indicate significant seasonal and spatial variations, consistent generally with previous study results and in approximate agreement with observations for the major currents. The region is dominated by the equatorward flowing Labrador Current along the shelf edge and along the Labrador and Newfoundland coasts. The Labrador Current is strong in the fall/winter and weak in the spring/summer. The mean transport of the shelf edge Labrador Current is 7.5 Sv at the Seal Island transect and 5.5 Sv through the Flemish Pass. The seasonal ranges are 4.5 and 5.2 Sv at the two sections, respectively. Density-and wind-driven components are both important in the inshore Labrador Current. The density-driven component dominates the mean component of the shelf edge Labrador Current while the large-scale wind-forcing contributes significantly to its seasonal variability.

The OceanGliders program started in 2016 to support active coordination and enhancement of global glider activity. OceanGliders contributes to the international efforts of the Global Ocean Observation System (GOOS) for Climate, Ocean Health, and Operational Services. It brings together marine scientists and engineers operating gliders around the world: (1) to observe the long-term physical, biogeochemical, and biological ocean processes and phenomena that are relevant for societal applications; and, (2) to contribute to the GOOS through real-time and delayed mode data dissemination. The OceanGliders program is distributed across national and regional observing systems and significantly contributes to integrated, multi-scale and multi-platform sampling strategies. OceanGliders shares best practices, requirements, and scientific knowledge needed for glider operations, data collection and analysis. It also monitors global glider activity and supports the dissemination of glider data through regional and global databases, in realtime and delayed modes, facilitating data access to the wider community. OceanGliders currently supports national, regional and global initiatives to maintain and expand the capabilities and application of gliders to meet key global challenges such as improved measurement of ocean boundary currents, water transformation and storm forecast.

Abstract-This paper presents a system for mission planning for an autonomous underwater vehicle in time-varying ocean currents. The mission planning system is designed for the AUV "SLOCUM Glider" to collect oceanographic data along the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelf. The data will be used in conjunction with a numerical ocean model currently under development by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This allows for the validation and the modification of existing ocean current and climate models as well as the design of new models with the aim of improving the accuracy of forecasts. The use of the ocean current forecast data in netCDF format in an ocean current model, the algorithms which consider glider-specific behaviour, details of the program's technical implementation in C++, and, preliminary results will be described.

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Abstract. We investigate mechanisms that lead to asymmetry in the response of a stratified coastal embayment following the onset of a uniform, steady wind that is blowing both along the axis and out of the bay. We focus on bays on the east coast of Newfoundland where the typical duration of wind events is 5 days and stratification representative of June conditions yields a first baroclinic mode wave speed of 0.51 m s -1. We use several numerical models ranging from a linear, reduced gravity model with a single baroclinic mode, to a nonlinear, prognostic, primitive equation model (CANDIE). We investigate the effect of factors such as continuous stratification, vertical mixing, nonlinearity, and realistic bottom topography. If the linear dynamics of only the first baroclinic mode is considered, the response of the idealized bay to 5 days of steady wind forcing is symmetric about the axis of the bay. Continuous stratification allows for higher-order vertical modes. These slower modes increase the response time of the bay, yielding asymmetry in the circulation pattern after 5 days of constant wind forcing. Model results using realistic geometry demonstrate that realistic bottom topography has little effect on near-surface circulation on the 5 day timescale. Adding nonlinearity allows a significant cross-bay transport of upwelled water and leads to the characteristic along-bay pattern of the surface isotherms evident in observations and can also lead to the separation of the coastal jet from the upwelling favorable shore.

The hydrography and circulation of Conception Bay (Newfoundland) are described based on hydrographie, current-meter and drifter data collected over four years (1988)(1989)(1990)(1991). The seasonal cycles of température (-1.6 to 13-17°C) and salinity (31-32.5