Wed. Jan 15th, 2025

BREAKING NEWS

ECMWF Boosts Wave Forecasting Resolution: 14km to 9km with HRES-WAM from November 24

In a significant upgrade to its wave forecasting capabilities, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is set to reduce the resolution of its High-Resolution Ensemble (HRES) Wave Model (WAM) from 14km to 9km starting November 24. This enhancement is expected to significantly improve the accuracy and detail of wave forecasts, particularly for coastal areas and marine operations.

What does this mean for wave forecasting?

The reduction in resolution from 14km to 9km will enable the ECMWF to better capture the complex interactions between wind, waves, and ocean currents. This will lead to more accurate predictions of wave heights, periods, and directions, which are crucial for:

  1. Maritime safety: Improved wave forecasts will help reduce the risk of accidents and damage to vessels, offshore structures, and coastal infrastructure.
  2. Renewable energy: Enhanced wave forecasting will enable more accurate predictions of wave energy resources, supporting the development of offshore wind farms and other marine renewable energy projects.
  3. Coastal protection: Better understanding of wave behavior will inform coastal erosion and flooding predictions, helping to protect vulnerable coastal areas and communities.
  4. Fishing and recreation: Anglers and recreational boaters will benefit from more accurate wave forecasts, allowing them to plan their activities with greater confidence.

What’s behind the upgrade?

The ECMWF’s HRES-WAM model is a key component of its global weather forecasting system. The upgrade to 9km resolution is made possible by advances in computing power, data assimilation techniques, and the development of new wave models. The ECMWF’s research and development efforts have focused on improving the representation of wave physics, including the effects of wind, currents, and bathymetry on wave behavior.

How will this impact users?

The upgraded HRES-WAM model will be available to users through the ECMWF’s Meteorological Archive and Retrieval System (MARS) and the Copernicus Marine Service. The new model will provide more detailed and accurate wave forecasts, which will be particularly beneficial for:

  1. Maritime industries: Shipping companies, offshore operators, and coastal authorities will benefit from improved wave forecasts, enabling them to make more informed decisions about vessel routing, anchoring, and mooring.
  2. Renewable energy developers: Offshore wind farm developers and operators will gain more accurate insights into wave energy resources, supporting the development of more efficient and cost-effective projects.
  3. Coastal managers: Municipalities, port authorities, and coastal protection agencies will benefit from improved wave forecasts, enabling them to develop more effective coastal management strategies.

Stay ahead of the waves with ECMWF’s upgraded HRES-WAM model

The ECMWF’s upgraded HRES-WAM model is a significant step forward in wave forecasting, offering improved accuracy and detail for a wide range of users. Stay tuned for further updates and insights on this exciting development in the world of meteorology and oceanography.

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  • ECMWF
  • Wave forecasting
  • HRES-WAM
  • High-Resolution Ensemble
  • Wave Model
  • Maritime safety
  • Renewable energy
  • Coastal protection
  • Fishing
  • Recreation
  • Weather forecasting
  • Oceanography
  • Meteorology
  • Marine forecasting
  • Coastal erosion
  • Flooding
  • Offshore wind farms
  • Wave energy resources
  • Maritime industries
  • Coastal management
  • Port authorities
  • Municipalities
  • Coastal protection agencies

Just read the news during my breakfast coffee:

https://confluence.ecmwf.int/display/FCST/Implementation+of+IFS+Cycle+49r1

You can get all the forecast products for free at: Here.

For Surfline-ish forecasts you can use 10 days of Waves ENSgrams. Either ether GPS Coordinates on the left or a town/city name.



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