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- the atmospheric forecast model at all configurations (medium range ensemble, extended range ensemble, Seasonal),
- the dynamic ocean model NEMO. (Note: the IFS analysis and the short range forecasts that are part of the IFS analysis cycle are not coupled with ECWAM).
ECWAM is solely concerned with ocean wave forecasting and does not model the ocean itself: dynamical modelling of the ocean is done by NEMO.
Structure
ECWAM evaluates the 2-dimensional surface wave spectrum, in both oceanic and coastal (but not inshore) waters. This describes how much wave energy is present for given sea wave frequencies and associated propagation directions. The part of the spectrum under the direct influence of the local wind is called “wind-wave" or "wind-sea”; the remaining part is usually referred to as “swell”.
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ECWAM has two-way interaction with NEMO and its sub-program LIM2:
- ECWAM supplies surface stress, Stokes drift, and turbulent energy flux to the ocean surface.
- NEMO and the LIM2 sub-program supply information on the concentration and thickness of ice.
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Wavegram output on ecCharts
Wavegrams are also available to show a time series of significant wave height, mean wave direction, and mean wave period for any sea location.
Fig2.2.4: Wavegrams for any oceanic location are available on ecCharts. Choose location using the Probe icon (1); Click on "Views" (2); Select "Meteograms" option on the dropdown menu (3); Select "More" on the option page that appears(4); input Wave into the "Meteogram select" box (5); select desired chart(s) by clicking on the icon (6).
Wave output on Opencharts
Open Charts.
Fig2.2.5: Menu to select wave parameter charts from Open Charts (See Fig2.2.1 above). Select "Range" (here medium and extended ranges); Select "Ocean Waves".
Fig2.2.5A: Sample wave chart and associated wavegram on opencharts. Click on any point to produce a meteogram and/or wavegram.
Fig2.2.6A: Wave parameter charts available on Open Charts and . These may be displayed by clicking on the desired icon (the above ensemble products are available at post-processing steps, 12-hourly from T+0h to T+168h).
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Sea ice is not static but forms or extends with low air temperature or sea-surface temperatures, and can move with winds and sea current. NEMO passes information to ECWAM regarding the extent and movement of the sea ice field forecast by LIM2, allowing a more realistic definition of what is open sea throughout the forecast period. In the current operational version of the wave model, the interaction between waves and sea-ice is not actually represented. Where sea ice cover >30% all wave parameters are set to missing (i.e. no valid values). Wave products near ice-edges may be of lower quality than for the open ocean. This may be due to uncertainty in sea-ice cover, or in the detail of an ice edge and consequently also in the boundary of the water area. Spurious areas of ice or incorrect extent of ice will act as if a coastline or island and stop waves from propagating correctly, possibly decaying the waves completely and incorrectly sheltering an otherwise exposed location.
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When considering forecast wave parameters in the vicinity of typhoons, hurricanes etc., it should be remembered that IFS still has difficulties in producing some intense tropical cyclones and their subsequent motion.
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- Definitive information on the ECMWF WAVE MODEL products and availability can be found in the the Catalogue of ECMWF real-time products (Set IV).
- Read an in depth view of the structure of ECWAM which gives a description of the theory behind the ECWAM model.
- Read about techniques regarding satellite measurement of wave height.
- Read more on ocean wave modelling and model output parameters.
- Fact sheet - Ocean wave forecasting.
- ECMWF - Lead centre for wave forecast verification and information on national models and wave verification results.
- Watch a comprehensive lecture on ocean wave forecasting at ECMWF or air-sea Interaction and earth system modelling.
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Overview
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