An operational hydrodynamic forecast model for Taiwan Strait

MetOcean Solutions recently completed the development of a high-resolution hydrodynamic forecast model for Taiwan Strait. 

“The circulation in the Taiwan Strait is influenced by alternating monsoon winds, tides, complex bottom topography and a current system outside of the Strait as the Kuroshio Current,” says MetOcean’s oceanographer Dr Carine Costa. “Our challenge was to ensure the models would adequately replicate the main local hydrodynamics features.” 

The work combined cutting-edge science within our agile operating system to set up current models for the north of Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait, passage that connects South China Sea and East China Sea. 

“We are providing 7-day forecasts of 3D currents updated daily, including a map overlayer of forecast surface currents, to support offshore operations,” says Carine. “Water levels, temperatures and salinities are also forecasted by the system. Our models provide the necessary data to benefit informed decisions.”  

Example of forecast layer of surface current displayed at Forecast2 on MetOceanView platform.

Example of current forecast for a specific site - speed (kts) and direction (deg).

Example of current profile forecast for a specific site.

The forecasting model is a Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) implementation with 2-km horizontal resolution forced with tides, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), atmospheric fields, and initial and boundary conditions from the global ocean Mercator operational forecast (CMEMS). ROMS model is an open-source state of the art ocean model which has been widely used in the scientific community and industry for a range of ocean basin, regional and coastal scales. 

The forecast layer of surface current for Taiwan Straight is freely available at Forecast2 on MetOceanView. 

For further information about MetOcean Solutions operational forecast, please contact us at enquiries@metocean.co.nz.