Wind and wave modelling in the Black Sea

Abstract

The performance of a wind-wave modelling system applied to the Black Sea basin is evaluated. The models considered are WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) for wind and SWAN (Simulating Waves Nearshore) for waves. Model system simulations are carried out for a four-month period at the beginning of 2002. The accuracy of the predictions is further assessed by comparing the main modelled wind and wave parameters with both in-situ and remotely sensed measurements. In statistical terms, the performance of the modelling system is, in general, in line with the results obtained by other studies made in similar environments. Janssen’s formulation for the wind-wave generation, recently improved in SWAN, makes this approach the most effective in the Black Sea from the point of view of the numerical accuracy. Subsequently, the geographical variability of the model predictions is assessed together with an evaluation of the wave model results in the spectral space.