Tidal currents in the Gulf of California: intercomparisons among two- and three-dimensional models with observations

Two three-dimensional and one two-dimensional models are used to simulate the tides (heights and currents) in the Gulf of California. One of the three-dimensional models uses sigma coordinates and the other uses fixed vertical levels. The results of the models are compared to observations by means of harmonic constants. It is found that tidal heights are better modelled with a simple two-dimensional model, while tidal currents are better modelled with the three-dimensional model with fixed vertical levels.