Simulation of Formation and Melting of Ice in the Kerch Strait

V. A. Ivanov and Yu. N. Ryabtsev

The optimized (all iterative procedures are excluded) local one-dimensional thermodynamic model of the formation and melting of ice is proposed. The numerical computation of ice cover evolution in the Kerch Strait under the influence of thermodynamic factors for the period of 5 months is carried out for the real conditions of winter of 2011/12. The results agree well with the available observational data on the timing of ice formation and on ice thickness in the southern part of the Sea of Azov and in the Taman Bay. In combination with the full three-dimensional hydrodynamic model and taking into account diurnal variations in external factors, the model simulates the spatial distribution of ice cover formation.