Data coverage
This is a 20-year global wave reforecast generated by WAVEWATCH III model (https://github.com/NOAA-EMC/WW3) forced by GEFSv12 winds (https://noaa-gefs-retrospective.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html). The wave ensemble was run with one cycle per day (at 03Z), spatial resolution of 0.25°X0.25° and temporal resolution of 3 hours. There are five ensemble members (control plus four perturbed members) and, once a week (Wednesdays), the ensemble is expanded to eleven members. The forecast range is 16 days and, once a week (Wednesdays), it extends to 35 days. More information about the wave modeling, wave grids and calibration can be found in the WAVEWATCH III regtest ww3ufs1.3 (https://github.com/NOAA-EMC/WW3/tree/develop/regtests/ww3ufs1.3). The 20 years of reforecast results were analyzed and quality-controlled. Three output types are available 1) Global wave fields, in grib2 format, with several variables including significant wave height, period, direction, and partitions; 2) Point output tables, in netcdf format, containing time-series of significant wave height, period and direction, for 658 points (latitude/longitude informed) at the positions of wave buoys; and, 3) For the same positions, spectral outputs are available, in netcdf format, containing the full spectra (2D directional spectrum). Each file refers to one forecast cycle with date (year, month, day) written in the file name. This effort has been funded by a NOAA OAR/NWS Service Level Agreement (SLA) whereby NOAA/OAR supports R&D and transition needed for mission delivery of climate services within NWS. The SLA project is led by NWS/NCEP/Ocean Prediction Center in collaboration with NWS/NCEP/Environmental Modeling Center and NWS/NCEP/Climate Prediction Center. This is a project also in cooperation with NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) and the University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS). The following github repository has examples and scripts to support users to download, visualize, and process the WAVEWATCH III output files https://github.com/ricampos/gefswavesreforecast The reforecast simulations were generated on the supercomputer Orion, which is funded via a grant from NOAA to support research activities in environmental modeling, including weather modeling and simulation https://www.noaa.gov/organization/information-technology/orion
Access & permitted use
Review the publisher’s documentation for availability, eligibility and permitted uses, including commercial analysis, model training and redistribution.
NOAA data disseminated through NODD are open to the public and can be used as desired. NOAA makes data openly available to ensure maximum use of our data, and to spur and encourage exploration and innovation throughout the industry. NOAA requests attribution for the use or dissemination of unaltered NOAA data. However, it is not permissible to state or imply endorsement by or affiliation with NOAA. If you modify NOAA data, you may not state or imply that it is original, unaltered NOAA data.
Need help sourcing data?
Tell us your required fields, population, geography and time period. We can review suitable sources and licensing options.
Request sourcing help