Talk:Using satellite data for global wave forecasts
From Coastal Wiki
Job Dronkers, May 2026:
Major advances in global wave forecasting systems that have been realized since 2008:
- Modern systems such as those operated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMF) now provide global wave forecasts up to 15 days ahead, compared to the 7-day range described in the article.
- Forecasts are produced four times daily (00, 06, 12, 18 UTC), allowing more frequent updates as new observations are assimilated (see ECMWF wave forecasts).
- Spatial resolution has improved by roughly an order of magnitude, enabling better representation of storms and coastal processes.
- Wave models are now fully coupled with atmospheric models, improving consistency between wind forcing and wave evolution.
- Ensemble forecasting is routinely used, providing probabilistic information on extreme wave conditions—an important capability absent from the original system.
- Data assimilation has evolved from relatively simple optimum interpolation schemes to more advanced, integrated approaches within coupled Earth-system frameworks.
For a detailed description, see:
Guide to Wave Analysis and Forecasting, 2018 edition, WMO-No. 702. https://library.wmo.int/records/item/31871-guide-to-wave-analysis-and-forecasting
