NEARSHORE WAVE PREDICTIONS ALONG THE OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON COAST

Gabriel García-Medina, H. Tuba Özkan-Haller, Peter Ruggiero

Abstract


A nearshore wave forecasting system was implemented to elevate the ocean information resources in the US Pacific Northwest region. This implementation brings the US State of Oregon and the Southwest region of the state of Washington to the same level of prediction as the neighboring state of California and other regions of the country. It was achieved using the Wavewatch III numerical wave model, which was validated in intermediate to shallow waters. The forecasting system provides data at a 30 arc-second resolution from the shelf break up to a depth of 20 meters. The data is distributed to the public at no cost as part of a greater initiative put together by the Networked Association of Ocean Observing Systems. Information generated by this implementation is presently being used to provide boundary conditions to localized applications in the region as well as to beach users.

Keywords


Wavewatch III; Wave Forecasting; US Pacific Northwest

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PMid:21436400


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