The SOCIB modelling facility includes various forecasting systems.
Coastal ocean state of the art numerical models (such as ROMS) have been implemented in the Balearic Sea, coupled to the MFS/MOON system. The ocean currents system, forced by Hirlam/AEMET atmospheric model, has been implemented with a resolution of the order of 2-3 km and by this the system will be able to adequately reproduce mesoscale and submesoscale features at different temporal and spatial scales. Data assimilation into this model is on-going work, you’ll find details in theResearch section. Physical-biological coupling with a N2P2Z2D biological model will be also considered to address key process studies questions associated with the physically triggered ecosystem variability (see Research section). In this section, we provide a daily validation of the model as well as some indicators to follow the temporal model behavior. The daily forecast is illustrated through the SOCIB application LW4NC whereas the data is provided through the SOCIB thredds (see data access).
Wave modelling in the Balearic Sea has been also considered, using WAM initially and at a later stage SWAN at local scale (in coordination with Puertos del Estado). A forecasting system of the Palma de Mallorca Bay is provided in this section. Ongoing studies aim to couple surface gravity wave model to atmosphere and ocean model (see Research section).
Finally, a Meteotsunamis forecasting system has been developed. Meteotsunamis are oceanic long waves with tsunami-like characteristics but meteorological in origin. They occur in oceans all over the world, usually under their local names such as “Rissaga” in Ciutadella harbor (Menorca Island, Spain). More details can be found in the Rissaga section. Further work is ongoing to increase the predictive capability to advance towards the establishment of a warning system of direct use and relevance to harbor authorities.
