Dykes, James

English

ScholarWorks @ The University of New Orleans

University of New Orleans 
ScholarWorks@UNO 
Ocean Waves Workshop 
Nov 17th, 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM 
Session 2 Presentation: WAVEWATCH III: Transition to Naval 
Operations 
James Dykes 
Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, james.dykes@nrlssc.navy.mil 
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Dykes, James, "Session 2 Presentation: WAVEWATCH III: Transition to Naval Operations" (2011). Ocean 
Waves Workshop. 1. 
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/oceanwaves/2011/Session2/1 
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 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://research.uno.edu/oceanwaves) Proceedings (2011) / 31 
 
Session II ─ Development of wave modeling framework to protect life and save 
property. 
 
Operational wave modeling frameworks include various numerical and physical approaches such as 
data assimilation. The mechanisms for data assimilation to improve wave forecasting are still an 
area of basic research, especially since wave buoy observations are sparse. This session discussed 
new wave models and modeling suites that are presently being used to forecast ocean waves and to 
support technologies such as wave gliders and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). 
Participants describe how wave models assimilate measurements from wave buoys and procedures 
used to make consistent use of ocean observations and models. The following presentation, paper, 
and extended abstracts relate to the use of wave models to support optimal ship tracking, glider 
operations, marine spill response, and numerous other applications.. 
 
Session Presentation by Mr. James Dykes 
 
James D. Dykes and W. Erick Rogers
17 November 2011
Ocean Waves Workshop at UNO
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://www.oceanwavesworkshop.uno.edu) Proceedings (2011) / 32 
 Background
 Multi-grid model
 Irregular-grid model
 Operational Implementation
 Preliminary validation results
217 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 
 
 NAVO runs WAM to apply BCs for smaller domain 
wave models, WAM and SWAN.
 Along with FNMOC used WAM since 1995.
 In 2000 FNMOC went to multi-processor mode 
requiring switch over to WAVEWATCH III.
 At NAVO we were able to adapt the code to 
multi-processor machines (C90). 
 Also, applied relocatability to the code.
 Purpose of transition
◦ Upgrade NAVO (and FNMOC) with latest technology.
◦ Replace NAVO WAM to be in sync with FNMOC.
317 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://research.uno.edu/oceanwaves) Proceedings (2011) / 33 
 
 Known as “Mosaic Grid” feature.
 Same physics and most numerics as before.
 Implemented in code in 2006 (Tolman Tech. 
Note 2007; OM 2008).
 Available in the last public release (v3.14).
 Exchange of wave data between domains 
nested in other domains.
 All domains are run at once.
 Curvilinear grids will be added later in ver 4.
417 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 
In the above panel additional 
energy is observed exiting the 
smaller domain as indicated by 
the image of modelled values of 
significant wave height.
517 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://www.oceanwavesworkshop.uno.edu) Proceedings (2011) / 34 
Irregular-grid feature in WAVEWATCH III
 Implemented in code in 2008 (Rogers and 
Campbell, NRL report 2009).
 Not included in the last public release 
(v3.14)
 Exists in NCEP WW3 development code 
added in v4.01
 To be implemented at FNMOC
17 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO 6
 
 
WAVEWATCH III 
propagation 
(boundary 
forcing only) 
on Lambert 
Conformal grid, 
one way nesting.
Resolution ~ 0.2°
7
Irregular-Grid Model
17 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://research.uno.edu/oceanwaves) Proceedings (2011) / 35 
 
8
WAVEWATCH III 
two-way 
nesting test 
(propagation 
only) with 
COAMPS Arctic 
curvilinear grid  
(~16 km grid 
spacing) and a 
simplified 
global grid. 
Waveheight in 
meters. 
Irregular-Multi-Grid Model
17 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 
WAVEWATCH III two-way 
nesting test (propagation + 
wind + ice) with COAMPS 
Arctic grid (~16 km 
resolution) and full (0.5°) 
global grid. Wave height in 
meters. The regular (global) 
grid is plotted. Masked areas 
are shown in green and 
include: land, ice, and areas 
covered by the curvilinear 
grid. Thus, the global model 
is not computing in areas 
covered by the Arctic grid 
(read: increased efficiency). 
Results for May 25 2009 12Z, after a 12 hour 
simulation (from cold start). The boundary of the Arctic 
grid is shown with a magenta line. Ice is from PIPS and 
winds are from NOGAPS. Setup is very similar to what it 
would be for an operational model. 
9
Irregular-Multi-Grid Model
17 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://www.oceanwavesworkshop.uno.edu) Proceedings (2011) / 36 
 Forced by wind fields supplied by FNMOC from 
COAMPS and NOGAPS
 Ice concentrations may be applied where 
appropriate, but this is obviated with the 
curvilinear domain covering the Arctic.
 Restarts keep the continuity from one forecast to 
the next with the occasional need to cold start.
 Additional domains can be added on the fly, but 
not taken away.
 Individual domains go through their own pre-
and post-processing.
 Fitting into the run stream at NAVO.
1017 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
1117 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://research.uno.edu/oceanwaves) Proceedings (2011) / 37 
 
Operational Implementation
 Global domain 0.5 degrees grid spacing
 Smaller domains start at 0.2 degrees grid spacing 
laid out to mostly follow the domains of the 
COAMPS domains whence the winds come.
 Later curvilinear Arctic grid will be added.
 More domains at 0.2 will be added around the 
rest of the uncovered coasts.  Most of these will 
have to use NOGAPS winds.
 Run cycles are normally every 12 hours with 
forecasts at least to 48 and as far as 96 hours.
 Clock time for the current system turns around in 
about an hour using 256 processors IBM Power6.
1217 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 Comparisons from both existing WAM and 
this WAVEWATCH III run were made with 
buoys and altimeter.
 Here we show NOAA Data Buoy 
◦ 41048 in Western Bermuda
◦ 42036 off coast by Tampa
 Promoting on-going validation (sanity check)
1317 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://www.oceanwavesworkshop.uno.edu) Proceedings (2011) / 38 
Owned and maintained by National Data Buoy Center
12-meter discus buoy
ARES 4.4 payload
31.978 N 69.649 W (31°58'42" N 69°38'56" W)
Site elevation: sea level
Air temp height: 10 m above site elevation
Anemometer height: 10 m above site elevation
Barometer elevation: sea level
Sea temp depth: 1 m below site elevation
Water depth: 5261 m
Watch circle radius: 4235 yards
W Bermuda   41048
1417 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 
1517 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
Wave height – 2011 January – 00 Hour
model vs. buoy 41048
WAVEWATCH III WAM
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://research.uno.edu/oceanwaves) Proceedings (2011) / 39 
 
1617 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
Wave height – 2011 January – 00 Hour
model vs. buoy 41048
WAVEWATCH III WAM
 
 
1717 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
WAVEWATCH III WAM
Wave roses – 2011 January – 00 Hour
Modelled values at buoy 42036
 
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://www.oceanwavesworkshop.uno.edu) Proceedings (2011) / 40 
Wind rose 
2011 January 
00 Hour 
Observed values at 
buoy 42036
17 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO 18
 
 
 
Owned and maintained by National Data Buoy Center
3-meter discus buoy
ARES 4.4 payload
28.500 N 84.517 W (28°30'0" N 84°31'0" W)
Site elevation: sea level
Air temp height: 4 m above site elevation
Anemometer height: 5 m above site elevation
Barometer elevation: sea level
Sea temp depth: 0.6 m below site elevation
Water depth: 54.5 m
Watch circle radius: 129 yards
W. TAMPA  42036
1917 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
 
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://research.uno.edu/oceanwaves) Proceedings (2011) / 41 
 
2017 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
Time series Scatter plot
Wave height – 2011 January – 00 Hour
model vs. buoy 42036
 
 
 
WAVEWATCH III Gulf of 
Mexico Domain
NDBC Buoy 42036
2117 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
Wave roses – 2011 January – 00 Hour
 
 
 Ocean Waves Workshop (http://www.oceanwavesworkshop.uno.edu) Proceedings (2011) / 42 
 Multi-grid WW3 working (v3.14), in transition to 
NAVOCEANO
◦ Replacing all the WAMs
◦ More efficiency
◦ BCs for SWAN (one-way nesting)
 Irregular grid WW3 working (v4.01), transitioned to 
FNMOC
 On-going validation should be a part of operations not 
only a part of the initial validation
 Acknowledgement: Gretchen Dawson completed the 
statistics and graphics.
 
 
 
2317 Nov 2011Ocean Waves Workshop UNO
 
  
 
 
 


Session 2 Presentation: WAVEWATCH III: Transition to Naval Operations

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Session 2 Presentation: WAVEWATCH III: Transition to Naval Operations

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