Comparison of wave spectrum assimilation and significant wave height assimilation based on Chinese-French oceanography satellite observations

Abstract

Assimilating observation data into wave models can significantly improve the numerical simulation accuracy of ocean waves. Traditionally, assimilation efforts have predominantly focused on significant wave height (SWH). However, the launch of the China-France Oceanography SATellite (CFOSAT)has facilitated the acquisition to obtain global-scale wave spectrum data, introducing a transformative dimension to assimilation methodologies. This novel wave spectrum data holds substantial potential for refining global wave data assimilation results. In our study, a series of numerical experiments were conducted employing CFOSAT data to systematically contrast the impact of wave spectrum assimilation with that of SWH assimilation on global wave simulations. The assimilating impacts of SWH assimilation and spectrum assimilation were validated against wave data retrieved from the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys and Jason-3 altimeter. The validation included SWH, mean wave period (MWP), dominant wave period (DWP), the direction from which the waves at the DWP are coming (DWD), and the wave spectrum. When comparing with the buoy measurements, spectrum assimilation demonstrated superior effectiveness in improving mean wave period (MWP) compared to SWH assimilation. The assimilation index for spectrum assimilation reached 12.21%, escalating to 15.78% when MWP exceeded or equaled 8 s. In contrast, for SWH, DWP and DWD, SWH assimilation performed better. Validation against Jason-3 altimeter data revealed that spectrum assimilation surpassed SWH assimilation in terms of overall improvement. Notably, SWH assimilation exhibited a more favorable impact when SWH values were <2.5 m. However, for SWH values greater than or equal to 2.5 m, spectrum assimilation outperformed SWH assimilation, yielding assimilation indices of 8.10% and 6.18% compared to buoys and Jason-3, respectively. Overall, this work illustrates that utilizing CFOSAT data for spectrum assimilation and SWH assimilation can enhance wave simulation accuracy under different conditions, which may point to promising applications in hurricane forecasting and disaster reduction research.