Mediterranean ocean forecasting system: First phase of implementation

Abstract

Abstract The Mediterranean Forecasting System Pilot Project (1998-2001) has been completed and every week a ten days forecast is released on the Web ( http://www.cineca.it/mfspp ). This is realised with a networking of Near Real Time observing and modelling centres started within the project and working operationally from January 2000. The network consists of: 1) three data centres that provide in situ and satellite data for initialisation of model forecasts. The observations are released with a time delay of one to three days through the internet; 2) a meteorological data centre for the collection and transmission of atmospheric forcing fields; 3) a central modelling and data assimilation centre which executes the forecasts. The satellite data consist of sea level anomalies and sea surface temperatures (SST) while the in situ data are temperature profiles acquired on Voluntary Observing ship tracks at biweekly frequency. All these data are assimilated to produce an initial condition for the forecast that is coupled asynchronously to atmospheric forecast surface fields. Skill scores indicate that RMS forecast error is lower than RMS persistence error after the first day in all Mediterranean regions.