Severe north-eastern Adriatic Bura events and circulation in greater Kvarner region

In this paper we explore onset and duration of several severe Bura events, focusing on the circulation that such events impose in the greater Kvamer region. Three periods, better documented meteorologically and/or oceanographically, were selected for modelling and analysis: 5-9 November 1999, 8-15 February 2003, and 12-16 November 2004. In the performed simulations the wind emerged as the dominant driving force with important coastal and bathymetric constrains. The modelled barotropic response to the selected Bura events is characterized by a multitude of cyclonic and anticyclonic circulation cells, strongly controlled by the rich insular topology, lateral geometry, and bottom topography. The high resolution finite-element mesh of the model has allowed for the first time to resolve the intricacies of numerous sub-basins and channels, and to elucidate the interplay of laterally heterogeneous wind stress and bottom topography. The important aspect of the heat loss and surface cooling triggered by Bura episodes has been also addressed to the extent the model and data limitations allowed.