 Surface current comparison between the NEMO model at 4.2 km resolution and the SCHISM model at around 200m resolution Calypso Science is the modeling team behind PredictWind's forecast for the Olympic Games in Marseille. In this capacity, we have downscaled the Mediterranean Copernicus Dataset and created a high-resolution model for the four racing grounds. This model has been developed using the Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model (SCHISM). SCHISM is an open-source, community-supported modeling system based on unstructured grids and designed for seamless simulation of hydrodynamic circulation across creek-lake-river-estuary-shelf-ocean scales. The finite element model allows us to use high resolution where it is most needed, such as racing grounds, infrastructure, and ports.  Triangular mesh used to model the Bay of Marseille with higher resolution in the racing areas The hydrodynamics around Marseille is complex and cannot be accurately resolved with a 2D model. Consequently, we have established a 3D baroclinic model with a vertical grid specifically designed to capture surface layer processes, which are crucial for sailing. This model incorporates 3D current and water column properties (salinity and temperature) from the Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO) and wind speed and direction data provided by PredictWind every 3 hours. The model is then run within Oceanum's infrastructure twice a day to produce the GRIB files of surface currents used by the sailing team through the PredictWind app. One interesting phenomena that can be seen from our downscaling is an upwelling that can occur during strong winds. The animation below shows the surface currents, water temperature and depth profile to demonstrate the effect of strong wind on the coastal water masses. When the wind is parallel to the coast, it creates a net southward surface transport, resulting in colder water from the deeper ocean rising to the surface. In this example, the surface temperatures drop by 3 degC over just one day, as cold water from 50-100 m depth is advected to the surface by the action of the wind stress. Do you have a need for downscaling oceanic model? Get in touch to discuss how we can help. Comments are closed.
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