WAVEWATCH III -WRF high-resolution wind wave hindcast in the North Atlantic: Wave model configuration and preliminary results for 1979-2000

Abstract

In this study, we present the configuration and validation of the third generation spectral wave model WAVEWATCH III with ST6 physics adjusted for high-resolution wind wave hindcast in the North Atlantic based on 14-km winds from non-hydrostatic numerical weather prediction system WRF-ARW (Weather Research and Forecasting). The adjustment of the wave model consists in obtaining the drag coefficient scaling required for WRF winds based on the sensitivity tests and validated against satellite altimetry data. The wave model validation includes analysis of wind sea and swell components compared to directional wave spectra from NDBC buoy data for 2010. The preliminary results of high-resolution WAVEWATCH-WRF hindcast (1979-2017) are discussed with the focus on mean and extreme values of wind sea and swell in winter season (JFM) in 1979-2000. The mean values of wind sea amount up to 5.5 m with the areas of the largest values and mean wave direction reflecting the corresponding characteristics of the wind. Swell heights amount up to 3.2 m with the area of the largest values being displaced westward relative to the wind sea characteristics.