Spatial calibration of WAVEWATCH III model against satellite observations using different input and dissipation parameterizations in the Black Sea

Abstract

The quality of the third generation wave model WAVEWATCH III, referred WW3, using the different source term packages is investigated in the context of wave growth and dissipation in a semi-closed sea, Black Sea. Accuracy in wave height hindcast is tested for five different source term parameterizations ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, and ST6 in WW3 against the 2020-year multi-mission satellite observations over the entire sea. The aims are to determine the most appropriate formulation and optimum tuneable coefficients for wind waves modelling in the Black Sea. For this purpose, significant wave heights (Hm0) are produced using five different source term packages implemented in the WW3 model. A sensitivity test was applied to define the tuneable parameters that contributes to the accuracy of the models, and subsequently the coefficient values of each parameters was turned to calibrate the WW3 models. The tuneable parameter allowing to obtain the most accurate result in each package are defined for each source term package. Comparing between model results and satellite observations, we found that the default WW3 model with all source terms as well as the calibrated ST2 model underestimate Hm0 in the entire domain and mainly in the eastern Black Sea region and are not suitable physical source term for the Black Sea. In the Black sea, the calibrated ST1, ST3 and ST4 forced with ERA5 wind are recommended for long term wave climate simulation, and the calibrated ST6 is recommended for extreme wave simulation.