Numerical simulation of wind waves on the Río de la Plata: evaluation of four global atmospheric databases

Abstract

The performance of NCEP/NCAR I, NCEP/DOE II, JRA-25 and ERA-Interim global databases, implemented as atmospheric forcings of the SWAN model in the Río de la Plata region, was quantitatively tested by calculating the bias, the mean square root error, the determination coefficient and the slope of the line fitted between observed and simulated wave parameters (significant wave height, mean period and direction). Even though statistical estimators showed no evident differences for wave periods and directions some noticeable differences were observed for simulated significant wave heights depending on the forcing used. The lowest bias (0.22 m) was obtained when the SWAN model was forced by ERA-Interim. With regard to the mean square root errors, the lowest values were obtained when NCEP/NCAR I (0.16 m) and NCEP/DOE II (0.19 m) were used as forcing. In addition, the best slope for simulated heights (0.79) was obtained using NCEP/DOE II. Computed determination coefficients for heights, periods and directions were very similar (0.89-0.93) for all the simulations carried out in this study. Energetic and severe wave events were given special consideration. The most energetic wave episode recorded in the Río de la Plata mouth (24 August, 2005) was analyzed and discussed in particular. It was concluded that during energetic atmospheric conditions the best agreement is achieved by implementing NCEP/DOE II as forcing. In the light of these results it is concluded that NCEP/DOE II is the most suitable atmospheric forcing to simulate wave heights with the SWAN model in the Río de la Plata region.

Study of the wave characteristics of the greek seas in relation to the present and future atmospheric conditions and their impact on the coastal zone

“…providing adequate results as compared with in situ data (Alexandrakis et al, 2013;Afentoylis, 2013;Mavrantonakis, 2013). Moreover, the application of ERA-Interim as input data for wave modelling (wave characteristics or renewable energy) is presented and compared as input along with ERA-40 and NCEP data in several studies (Martin et al, 2012;Appendini et al, 2013;Portilla et al, 2013). It has been already established in Chapter 6.2 that ERA-Interim can be used in offshore conditions for the Greek Seas, as the correlation has been proven adequate for such use.…”