MMAB Operational Wave Models (Text)

The operational ocean wave predictions of NOAA/NWS/NCEP use the wave model WAVEWATCH III^® using operational NCEP products as input (source code is available).

The model is run four times a day: 00Z, 06Z, 12Z, and 18Z. Each run starts with 9-, 6- and 3-hour hindcasts and produces forecasts of every 3 hours from the initial time out to 180 hours (84 hours for the Great Lakes).

The wave model suite consists of global and regional nested grids. As background information, a list of selected references and a chronological list of model changes are available. Finally, validation data are available for the multi-scale model.

Archival Link to Legacy Website (unsupported).

Forecast Zones
Click to open the Product Table for the selected zone (latest model run)

NOAA WAVEWATCH III^® CFSRR Reanalysis Hindcasts

To generate a wave climatology, a simulation of the 30-year period of 1979-2009 has been run with the NOAA WAVEWATCH III^® using the Tolman-Chalikov physics package with 16 regular lat-lon grids and the new NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis and Reforecast (CFSRR) homogeneous data set of hourly 1/2° spatial resolution winds.

Click here for documentation and data access.

WAVEWATCH III^® Tutorials

Two COMET modules are available regarding WAVEWATCH III^® and analysis of ocean swell:

• Operational Use of WAVEWATCH III^®
• Analyzing Ocean Swell

Disclaimer

While WAVEWATCH III^® is an operational model, we cannot guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of the model data and figures offered on this site. Please see our disclaimer for more information.

Questions or Comments?

We welcome any questions or comments you may have on the WAVEWATCH III^® system.

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