Assimilation of wave data into the wave model WAM using an impulse response function method

Abstract

A new method for the assimilation of wave data into a third-generation wave model is presented. Deviations between observed and modeled wave spectra are used to derive corrections of the wind field which drives the wave model. The wave field can then be subsequently corrected by a new integration of the wave model with the improved wind field. A basic difficulty of such dynamically consistent wave data assimilations schemes which correct both wind and wave data is the nonsynchronous and nonlocal nature of the wind field corrections: errors observed in the wave spectrum at a given measurement time and location can be produced by errors in the wind field at much earlier times and far distant l..