Improving the Global Wave-Data Assimilation Performance Through the Expanded Use of Satellite Observation Data

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has developed and is currently operating a global wave-data assimilation system that utilizes real-time observational data to improve wave forecast accuracy. In recent years, the launch of five new polar-orbiting satellites for ocean observation has doubled the number of satellites available for global wave-data assimilation, from five to ten. This study integrated these five additional satellites into the existing global wave-data assimilation system and conducted a comparative analysis of the resulting initial wave conditions and significant wave height forecasts and those form the current operational wave model. The results indicate that the root mean square error of significant wave height improved by up to 7.2% for the initial conditions and by up to 3.4% for the 24-h forecasts. Notably, forecast accuracy in semi-enclosed sea areas, such as bays, showed a significant improvement compared to that in previous methods. Based on these findings, the continued expansion of satellite observational data utilization is expected to further enhance the forecast performance of KMA’s global wave model.