Ocean forecast system around Taiwan and its data assimilation prototype

Abstract:

A multi-scale Regional Ocean Current Forecast OpeRational System (ROCFORS) has been developed at Central Weather Bureau (CWB), Taiwan, since 2008. The modeling system was initially constructed based on two nested models: ROMS and SCHISM and implemented for daily operation. Initial field is derived and analyzed from HYCOM and RTOFS daily forecasts. Models are driven by meteorological predictions from WRF developed at CWB and NCEP’s GFS. Daily operational products are disseminated on CWB website. Recently, a cross-scale system based entirely on SCHISM replaced the previous multi-level nested system as part of a streamlining process. The new forecasting system is being coupled with PDAF (Parallel Data Assimilation Framework) under ESMF (Earth System Modeling Framework) to assimilate all potential observation data including real time CODAR surface current observation around Taiwan. Some preliminary results from the prototype DA system will be presented to illustrate its utility.