Validation and Coupling of the SWAN Wave Prediction Model by WRF for the Persian Gulf

Abstract

Generation of waves is affected by forces that exerted constantly in the oceans. The most obvious reason for the appearance of surface-waves is a process of interaction between atmosphere and sea surface that results in wind generation. Wave predictions are usually issued for a maximum of a few days for using in different fields such as shipping, fishing, oil industry, tourism, and to increase the safety of seafarers and beach habitants, maintaining economic assets and optimal utilization of natural resources. In this study, SWAN model has been run for this research over the Oman sea and the Persian Gulf. For implementation of SWAN, another dynamic model with prediction ability of 99-hours also has been used. In this example, wind field is obtained from the outputs of the WRF model converted to the required format for SWAN model. The computational network of SWAN model has been set to spatial grid points of 6 minutes with 1-hour temporal scale. Standard validation ways, including experimental verification, Multiplicative Bias, Mean Error and Root Mean Square Error are used in this study by comparing together for evaluation of accuracy of the model outputs. The results show that the prediction of wave heights by the model for 9 to 24-hour prediction could be the most accurate.