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WNA Model Validation

 Point of contact: NCEP.EMC.wavewatch@NOAA.gov
Last update: October 15, 2004
MMAB page | Main wave model page
 
NWW3, AKW or WNA validation page
This page presents error statistics of the regional WNA wave model and the wind fields driving this model. In set-up and data used it is similar to the validation page of the global model. Details on data used and validation methods can be found on the latter page.

Wind Validation

Buoy Data

In the analysis of the buoy data the four regions are considered. The two main regions are the Gulf of Mexico and the NW Atlantic. In both regions a distinction is made between the deep ocean buoys that also are used for the global model. All other buoys are gathered in the category ‘coastal buoys‘. Remarks on the above Figures:
  • Note that the wind speed errors for the coastal buoy locations are larger both in absolute and relative sense than those for the deep ocean buoys. Two possible reasons for this are the mixture of over-land and over-sea characteristics in the GDAS and AVN for these points, as well as

Satellite Data

The validation with the satellite data is performed in the same way as for the global model, with two differences. First, the validation is performed with the altimeter data at native resolution. Secondly, it is collocated on a 0.5o resolution grid. Both differences mean that the comparison includes smaller (meso-) scales in the data. Therefore (i), rms differences and scatter indices against this data may be expected to be larger for identical model wind fields, and (ii) the validation plots will generally be less smooth.
mean observed U10 from altimeter
hindcast vs. altimeter
24h forecast vs. hindcast
48h forecast vs. hindcast
72h forecast vs. hindcast
1999/09 - 1999/11
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
1999/12 - 2000/02
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2000/03 - 2000/05
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2000/06 - 2000/08
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2000/09 - 2000/11
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2000/12 - 2001/02
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2001/03 - 2001/05
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2001/06 - 2001/08
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2001/09 - 2001/11
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2001/12 - 2002/02
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2002/03 - 2002/05
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2002/06 - 2002/08
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
2002/09 - 2002/11
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
Comments on Figures in the above Table:
  • See NWW3 validation page regarding interpretation of these figures
Top of page | Main wave model page

Wave Model Validation

Buoy Data

The wave data from the buoys is separated into geographical regions and analyzed in the same way as the wind data. Comments on above figures:
  • The May 2000 changes to the seeding algorithm and bottom friction tuning have a notable impact on the coastal Gulf of Mexico buoys

Satellite Data

The validation with the satellite data is performed in the same way as for the global model, with two differences. First, the validation is performed with the altimeter data at native resolution. Secondly, it is collocated on a 0.5o resolution grid. Both differences mean that the comparison includes smaller (meso-) scales in the data. Therefore (i), rms differences and scatter indices against this data may be expected to be larger for identical model wind fields, and (ii) the validation plots will generally be less smooth.
mean observed Hs
hindcast
24h forecast
48h forecast
72h forecast
1999/09 - 1999/11
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
1999/12 - 2000/02
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2000/03 - 2000/05
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2000/06 - 2000/08
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2000/09 - 2000/11
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2000/12 - 2001/02
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2001/03 - 2001/05
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2001/06 - 2001/08
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2001/09 - 2001/11
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2001/12 - 2002/02
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2002/03 - 2002/05
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
bias / rms / SI
2002/06 - 2002/08
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
2002/09 - 2002/11
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
Comments on figures in above Table:
  • Large negative biases close to the open boundaries for 1999/09 - 1999/11 indicate problems with boundary data transfer into the model. For subsequent periods this error disappears
  • In spite of the higher resolution of this model, biases still indicate problems with resolving the Bahamas and most of the Carribean islands in this model
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