Indian Ocean wave forecasting system for wind waves: development and its validation

ABSTRACT Present study aims at the development of the Indian Ocean wave forecasting system for wind waves using WAVEWATCH-III wave model and a detailed validation of the same to ensure the model reliability for operational use. WAVEWATCH-III model has a multi-grid approach with resolution varying from 100 km (global grid) to 4 km (coastal grid), and is driven by the 10 m wind, produced by the ECMWF meteorological model. Two different observation data sets, provided by a network of buoys and Jason-2 altimeter, have been used for the evaluationof the model skill. The reliability of the wave model is tested separately for deep and for coastal waters, and reliable (correlation > 0.8 and Scatter Index < 30%) performance is found for both areas for the year 2016. A spatial validation using the satellite data also supported the reliability of the forecast in the IO. Verification during the extreme conditions also showed an accurate performance of the model in predicting the wave heights with correlation >0.9 and Scatter Index < 20%. The overall analysis endorses the model reliability over the IO, making this model very suitable, and hence it could be used for the operational forecasting purpose and other maritime services.