The use of AVHRR data in a pilot study for investigating and modelling regional ocean circulation

Regional oceanographic studies rely on in situ data. However, sampling design strategies for the collection of oceanographic data are not always straightforward, particularly in regions of complex bathymetry. Here we present a pilot study methodology that uses remotely sensed sea surface temperature data to generate coarse resolution surface temperature fields suitable for forcing a regional numerical circulation model. The model is then used to help identify the major surface and interior oceanographic features in the region and hence determine the most suitable locations to deploy instrumentation. Such pilot studies are uncommon in regional oceanographic research and here we demonstrate an effective, low-cost pilot study methodology.