Extended Abstract (284K)5B.2
Assimilation of nearshore winds into a high-resolution atmosphere/wave modeling system
Natalie Lamberton, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL; and S. Lazarus, M. Splitt, S. Chiao, G. Zarillo, P. Santos, and D. Sharp
A NOAA CSTAR project is currently underway to evaluate the impact of assimilating radial winds from Doppler weather radar (WSR-88D) and satellite-derived scatterometer (QuikSCAT) winds into a high-resolution coupled atmosphere/ocean forecast system. The initial build of the real-time system is configured over Atlantic coastal waters of east central Florida and consists of a one-way coupling between the Weather Research and Forecasting - Environmental Modeling System (WRF-EMS) and a nearshore wave model. The purpose of the project is to generate detailed wave forecasts in the coastal zone. The Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) Data Assimilation System (ADAS) is used to assimilate wind observations, leveraging the increased sampling density offered by coastal network radars and polar-orbiting satellites across the otherwise data-sparse marine region. Assimilated radar and satellite winds are blended with the NAM-WRF winds to provide enhanced input for running the mesoscale WRF model. Short-term (24 h) WRF forecasts, with and without the assimilated winds, are compared to observations within the configured wave model subdomains. Sensitivity tests are also performed to evaluate the positive (or negative) impact of the assimilated wind field on short-term wind and wave forecasts.
Session 5B, Ocean Observations for Data Assimilation and Climate—II
Tuesday, 13 January 2009, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Room 131C
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