The coastal high resolution forecast system that underpins MyCoast consists of a combination of an ocean model, an atmospheric model and a local river forecast model. These are all managed through a scheduler at the Met Office.
The model provides real-time short-term hydrodynamic 3D forecasts of a range of physical parameters including currents, temperature, salinity and sea-level and a one-day hindcast.
For further details see the
technical specifications of the model.
Model data can be accessed through
our thredds server and visualise in our
modelling data portal.
To produce the marine forecasts for the Plymouth region we need to generate forecasts of the weather over the region. Below is a sketch animation of our forecasts using the Weather Research Forecast model. It shows the forecast evolution over the next days of air temperature (labels), surface pressure (lines in map) and rain (dark cloud like patterns).
Validation
Figures shown below contain averages of the raw, unvalidated data and model results. Model data are available via
our THREDDS server.
The figure below is a comparison of tidal elevation as observed by the
Devonport tidal gauge and the model predictions at hourly intervals.