scholarly journals Large and small scale wave forecast in the Mediterranean Sea

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 779-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bertotti ◽  
L. Cavaleri
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Surface Wind Speed ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Wave Forecast ◽  
Forecasting System ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Wave Forecasting

Abstract. We describe the implementation of an operational high resolution wind and wave forecasting system in the Mediterranean Sea, and then on a limited area centred on the south-east part of Italy, covering parts of the Adriatic and the Ionian seas. We analyse the performance at the two different resolutions during the first four months of operation, using the wind and wave data provided by the QuikSCAT scatterometer, and the Jason and Envisat altimeters. Useful accurate forecasts are found up to 72 h range, the maximum operational one. As expected, we find that the limited area models outperform both the wind and wave global or larger scale model results. However, we still find an appreciable underestimate by the models for surface wind speed and hence wave height, often concentrated on specific events.

scholarly journals Implementation and validation of a new operational wave forecasting system of the Mediterranean Monitoring and Forecasting Centre in the framework of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 2675-2695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michalis Ravdas ◽  
Anna Zacharioudaki ◽  
Gerasimos Korres
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Environment Monitoring ◽  
Marine Research ◽  
Forecasting System ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Marine Environment Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Service ◽  
Wave Forecasting

Abstract. Within the framework of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS), an operational wave forecasting system for the Mediterranean Sea has been implemented by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) and evaluated through a series of preoperational tests and subsequently for 1 full year of simulations (2014). The system is based on the WAM model and it has been developed as a nested sequence of two computational grids to ensure that occasional remote swell propagating from the North Atlantic correctly enters the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar. The Mediterranean model has a grid spacing of 1∕24∘. It is driven with 6-hourly analysis and 5-day forecast 10 m ECMWF winds. It accounts for shoaling and refraction due to bathymetry and surface currents, which are provided in offline mode by CMEMS. Extensive statistics on the system performance have been calculated by comparing model results with in situ and satellite observations. Overall, the significant wave height is accurately simulated by the model while less accurate but reasonably good results are obtained for the mean wave period. In both cases, the model performs optimally at offshore wave buoy locations and well-exposed Mediterranean subregions. Within enclosed basins and near the coast, unresolved topography by the wind and wave models and fetch limitations cause the wave model performance to deteriorate. Model performance is better in winter when the wave conditions are well defined. On the whole, the new forecast system provides reliable forecasts. Future improvements include data assimilation and higher-resolution wind forcing.

scholarly journals Towards a new BOLAM-MOLOCH suite for the SIMM forecasting system: implementation of an optimised configuration for the HyMeX Special Observation Periods

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 649-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mariani ◽  
M. Casaioli ◽  
P. Malguzzi
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Tide Gauge ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Precipitation Forecast ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Tidal Elevation ◽  
Meteorological Model ◽  
Forecasting System ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. In this work, the performance of two versions of the Sistema Idro-Meteo-Mare (SIMM) forecasting system, aiming at predicting weather, waves and sea surge in the Mediterranean basin and, in particular, around the Italian coasts, are compared for two high-impact case studies corresponding to the Intense Operation Period (IOP) 16 and 18 of the first monitoring campaign of the HYdrological cycle in Mediterranean EXperiment (HyMeX). The first SIMM version tested – currently operational – is based on the meteorological hydrostatic BOlogna Limited Area Model (BOLAM) one-way nested over two domains, the Mediterranean-embedded Costal WAve Forecasting system (Mc-WAF), and the Shallow water HYdrodynamic Finite Element Model (SHYFEM). The second version tested is the one initially implemented for the HyMeX monitoring campaigns, which is composed by an optimised new configuration of BOLAM defined over a wider, higher-resolution domain, the nonhydrostatic convection permitting model MOLOCH, the Mc-WAF component, and SHYFEM. Both SIMM versions are initialised with data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Integrated Forecasting System (IFS). The accumulated precipitation obtained by applying all the above meteorological model chains at the two case studies is compared with observations. In general, the precipitation forecast quality turns out to improve with increasing resolution, the best result being obtained with the MOLOCH model. Storm surge and tidal forecasts, obtained by forcing SHYFEM with the BOLAM and ECMWF IFS surface wind and atmospheric pressure fields, are compared with observations of tidal elevation measured at the ISPRA "Punta della Salute" tide-gauge, located in the Lagoon of Venice. Results indicate that, for the IOP18, short-term forecasts obtained with BOLAM outperform the ECMWF IFS one, while the opposite seems apparently true for longer-term predictions.

scholarly journals Improved near real time surface wind resolution over the Mediterranean Sea

Ocean Science ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bentamy ◽  
H.-L. Ayina ◽  
P. Queffeulou ◽  
D. Croize-Fillon ◽  
V. Kerbaol
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Surface Wind Speed ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Space And Time ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. Several scientific programs, including the Mediterranean Forecasting System Toward Environmental Predictions (MFSTEP project), request high space and time resolutions of surface wind speed and direction. The purpose of this paper is to focus on surface wind improvements over the global Mediterranean Sea, based on the blending near real time remotely sensed wind observations and ECMWF wind analysis. Ocean surface wind observations are retrieved from QuikSCAT scatterometer and from SSM/I radiometers available at near real time at Météo-France. Using synchronous satellite data, the number of remotely sensed data available for each analysis epoch (00:00 h; 06:00 h; 12:00 h; 18:00 h) is not uniformly distributed as a function of space and time. On average two satellite wind observations are available for each analysis time period. The analysis is performed by optimum interpolation (OI) based on the kriging approach. The needed covariance matrixes are estimated from the satellite wind speed, zonal and meridional component observations. The quality of the 6-hourly resulting blended wind fields on 0.25° grid are investigated trough comparisons with the remotely sensed observations as well as with moored buoy wind averaged wind estimates. The blended wind data and remotely wind observations, occurring within 3 h and 0.25° from the analysis estimates, compare well over the global basin as well as over the sub-basins. The correlation coefficients exceed 0.95 while the rms difference values are less than 0.30 m/s. Using measurements from moored buoys, the high-resolution wind fields are found to have similar accuracy as satellite wind retrievals. Blended wind estimates exhibit better comparisons with buoy moored in open sea than near shore.

scholarly journals Implementation and validation of a new operational wave forecasting system of the Mediterranean Monitoring and Forecasting Centre in the framework of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michalis Ravdas ◽  
Anna Zacharioudaki ◽  
Gerasimos Korres
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Environment Monitoring ◽  
Marine Research ◽  
Forecasting System ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Marine Environment Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Service ◽  
Wave Forecasting

Abstract. Within the framework of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) an operational wave forecasting system for the Mediterranean Sea has been implemented by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) and evaluated through a series of pre-operational tests and subsequently for one full year of simulations (2014). The system is based on the WAM model and it has been developed as a nested sequence of two computational grids to ensure that occasional remote swell propagating from the North Atlantic is correctly entering into the Mediterranean Sea through the Gibraltar Strait. The Mediterranean model has a grid spacing of 1/24°. It is driven with 6-hourly analysis and 5-days forecast 10 m ECMWF winds. It accounts for shoaling and refraction due to bathymetry and surface currents which are provided in off-line mode by CMEMS. Extensive statistics on the system performance have been calculated by comparing model results with in-situ and satellite observations. Overall, the significant wave height is accurately simulated by the model while less accurate but reasonably good results are obtained for the mean wave period. In both cases, the model performs optimally at offshore wave buoy locations and well-exposed Mediterranean sub-regions. Within enclosed basins and near the coast, unresolved topography by the wind and wave models and fetch limitations cause the wave model performance to deteriorate. Model performance is better in winter when the wave conditions are well-defined. On the whole, the new forecast system provides reliable forecasts. Future improvements include data assimilation and higher resolution wind forcing.

scholarly journals Comparison of 10-m Wind Forecasts from a Regional Area Model and QuikSCAT Scatterometer Wind Observations over the Mediterranean Sea

2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
pp. 1945-1960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Accadia ◽  
Stefano Zecchetto ◽  
Alfredo Lavagnini ◽  
Antonio Speranza
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Wind Direction ◽  
Forecast Error ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Limited Area Model ◽  
Area Model ◽  
Energy Evaluation ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract Surface wind forecasts from a limited-area model [the Quadrics Bologna Limited-Area Model (QBOLAM)] covering the entire Mediterranean area at 0.1° grid spacing are verified against Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) wind observations. Only forecasts within the first 24 h in coincidence with satellite overpasses are used. Two years of data, from 1 October 2000 to 31 October 2002, have been considered, allowing for an adequate statistical assessment under different wind conditions. This has been carried out by analyzing the fields of the mean wind vectors, wind speed bias, correlation, difference standard deviation, steadiness, gustiness, and mean wind direction difference, in order to investigate spatial variability. Statistics have been computed on a seasonal basis. A comparison of satellite and forecast winds with measurements from three buoys was also performed. Some critical areas of the Mediterranean Sea where wind forecast quality is lower than average have been identified. Such areas correspond to semienclosed basins surrounded by important orography and to small regions at the lee side of the main islands. In open-sea regions the model underestimates wind strength from about 0.5 m s−1 in spring and summer to 1.0 m s−1 in winter, as evidenced by the existing biases against scatterometer data. Also, a wind direction bias (scatterometer minus model) generally between 5° and 15° exists. A survey of the identified and likely sources of forecast error is performed, indicating that orography representation plays an important role. Numerical damping is identified as a likely factor reducing forecast wind strength. The need for a correction scheme is envisaged to provide more accurate forcing for numerical sea state forecasting models, wind energy evaluation, and latent and/or sensible heat exchanges.

scholarly journals Improved near real time surface wind resolution over the Mediterranean Sea

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bentamy ◽  
H.-L. Ayina ◽  
P. Queffeulou ◽  
D. Croize-Fillon
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Surface Wind Speed ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Space And Time ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. Several scientific programs, including the Mediterranean Forecasting System Toward Environmental Predictions (MFSTEP project), request high space and time resolutions of surface wind speed and direction. The purpose of this paper is to focus on surface wind improvements over the global Mediterranean Sea, based on the blending near real time remotely sensed wind observations and ECMWF wind analysis. Ocean surface wind observations are retrieved from QuikSCAT scatterometer and from SSM/I radiometers available at near real time at Météo-France. Using synchronous satellite data, the number of remotely sensed data available for each analysis epoch (00:00 h; 06:00 h; 12:00 h; 18:00 h) is not uniformly distributed as a function of space and time. On average two satellite wind observations are available for each analysis time period. The analysis is performed by optimum interpolation (OI) based on the kriging approach. The needed covariance matrixes are estimated from the satellite wind speed, zonal and meridional component observations. The quality of the 6-hourly resulting blended wind fields on 0.25° grid are investigated trough comparisons with the remotely sensed observations as well as with moored buoy wind averaged wind estimates. The blended wind data and remotely wind observations, occurring within 3 h and 0.25° from the analysis estimates, compare well over the global basin as well as over the sub-basins. The correlation coefficients exceed 0.95 while the rms difference values are less than 0.30 m/s. Using measurements from moored buoys, the high-resolution wind fields are found to have similar accuracy as satellite wind retrievals. Blended wind estimates exhibit better comparisons with buoy moored in open sea than near shore.

scholarly journals Social equity and marine protected areas: Perceptions of small-scale fishermen in the Mediterranean Sea

2020 ◽  
Vol 244 ◽  
pp. 108531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan J. Bennett ◽  
Antonio Calò ◽  
Antonio Di Franco ◽  
Federico Niccolini ◽  
Daniela Marzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Social Equity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Mediterranean

scholarly journals The improvements of the ships of opportunity program in MFS-TEP

Ocean Science ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. R. Manzella ◽  
F. Reseghetti ◽  
G. Coppini ◽  
M. Borghini ◽  
A. Cruzado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Dense Water ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Water Formation ◽  
Dense Water Formation ◽  
Forecasting System ◽  
Opportunity Program ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. The Ships Of Opportunity Program in the Mediterranean Sea was established at the end of 1999, in the framework of the Mediterranean Forecasting System – Pilot Project (MFS-PP). Many improvements have been made in data collection, transmission and management. Calibration of selected XBTs and a comparison of XBTs vs. CTDs during some research cruises have assured the quality of the data. Transmission now allows receiving data in full resolution by using GSM or satellite telecommunication services; management is offering access to high quality data and view services. The effects of technological and methodological improvements in the observing system are assessed in terms of capability to represent the most important circulation features. The improved methodologies have been tested during the Mediterranean Forecasting System – Toward Environmental Prediction (MFS-TEP) – Targeted Operational Period (MFS-TOP), lasting from September 2004 to February 2005. In spite of the short period of measurements, several important aspects of the Mediterranean Sea circulation have been verified, such as eddies and gyres in the various sub-basins, and dense water formation processes in some of them (vertical homogeneous profiles of about 13°C down to ~800 m in the Provençal, and of about 14.9°C down to ~300 m in the Levantine have allowed defining an index of dense water formation).

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