Evaluation of SCHISM Model for the Unified Forecast System: Procedures, Results and Challenges

SCHISM (Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model) is an open-source model for simulating 3D baroclinic circulation across creek-lake-river-estuary-shelf-ocean scales. Efforts are underway to evaluate SCHISM as a component of the NOAA’s Unified Forecast System (UFS). The evaluation process tests SCHISM setup, usage and performance for the specified area of the New York Harbor. The process includes forecast skill assessments by comparison with observations. The high-resolution unstructured mesh was generated to conform to the complex coastline geometry and bathymetry and to increase the modeling accuracy. The testing was performed for two 90-day time periods. The evaluation computation and related collaboration took place on TACC’s Frontera supercomputer. The water level and currents model simulations and observations were compared at 23 NOS/CO-OPS stations around NY Harbor. Comparison includes major constituents (M2, S2, N2, and K1), currents speeds and directions evaluation and corresponding errors estimations (AE, RMSE, Complex RMSE). The evaluation process, results and challenges will be presented.