The Navy's Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean-Wave Prediction System

Abstract

An air-ocean-wave modeling system has been developed by the Naval Research Laboratory to provide improved predictive capabilities to the warfighter in regions that include an oceanic component. Each of the three operational models, run in a standalone mode, have provided 48 to 96 hour forecast guidance for the past several years. Utilizing the Earth System Modeling Framework, a model coupler exchanges needed information between the model components and interpolates between the model grids. This paper will discuss the model coupling and provide a brief overview of validation studies that have been performed in the Adriatic Sea. Ligunan Sea and Kuroshio extension, with a particular emphasis on air-sea interactions. Model studies presented here focus on the upper ocean (mixed layer) heat fluxes near surface winds temperature, moisture the air-sea interaction, and the marine boundary layer characteristics. Validation studies presented here show the most improvements in ocean heal fluxes due to a more realistic sea surface temperature. The coupled system is scheduled for operational implementation at Navy production centers beginning in 2011.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 15, 2011
Accession Number
ADA541025

Entities

People

  • Erick Rogers
  • John W. Cook
  • Paul J. Martin
  • R. J. Small
  • Richard Allard
  • Sue Chen
  • Timothy Campbell
  • Tommy G. Jensen
  • Travis Smith

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Adriatic Sea
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Heat Flux
  • Layers
  • Military Research
  • Ocean Currents
  • Ocean Waves
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Sea Surface Temperature
  • Surface Temperature
  • Terrain
  • Three Dimensional
  • Topography
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Flux Boundary Layers