Wave Modelling
Parent Body: The Met Office, London Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 2SZ

Principal Functions
Short period forecasting of sea state.

General Details
For many years the Met Office has run second-generation global and regional wave models to provide forecasts of sea state, supporting a range of user applications. We have recently upgraded our global wave model by increasing the resolution and including shallow water physics. We have recently developed a new UK waters wave model that includes a comprehensive formulation of wave-current interactions. These developments mean that the Met Office wave model suite is well placed to provide good guidance both globally and in our own coastal waters. 

Specification
Our global model covers 80.28° N to 79.17° S on a regular latitude–longitude grid, with a resolution of 5/6° longitude by 5/9° latitude, the same resolution as the global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model that provides the surface winds. The global wave model is run twice daily from 00 UTC and 12 UTC data times. Each run begins with a ‘hindcast’, starting from the wave conditions of 12 hours earlier and running forward with wind data from the NWP assimilation. The global model forecast is then run to five days ahead, using NWP forecast winds. Our current regional wave model covers the NW European shelf seas, the Baltic Sea, Mediterranean and Black Sea, at approximately 35 km resolution. However, in UK coastal waters a more accurate model is needed, and to provide this a new UK waters wave model has been developed, which covers the European continental shelf from 12° W, between 48° N and 63° N, at a resolution of 1/9° longitude by 1/6° latitude. The UK waters wave model was implemented operationally in March 2000. 

Future Plans
Future plans for the wave model include the assimilation of spectral wave data (ERS-2) and modification of the system to enable use of ENVISAT data. A project is also ongoing to develop and implement the 3rd generation WAM model.

Availability
Model data from the global and regional wave models are available to the wider oceanographic community via the internet using our Data and Products Distribution Service (DPDS). Wave model data and products are available 'free of charge' to the research and education community for non-commercial use; for commercial use a small charge for the information will be made. For specific details on how to receive wave model data please see: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/ocean/operational/dpds/dpds_wave.html.

Further Information
For further information on the wave models, our other ocean modelling capabilities supporting operational oceanography, seasonal forecasting and climate prediction, and the availability of ocean model data and products see Ocean Applications.

Contact Information
Jon Turton
Ocean Applications
The Met Office
London Road
Bracknell
Berkshire RG12 2SZ
Telephone:  01344 856478
Fax:  01344 854499
email:  jdturton@meto.gov.uk