Retrieval of energy spectra from measured data for assimilation into a wave model

Some results are presented from experiments on modifying modelled wave energy spectra, using reported integrated wave and wind data from three North Sea stations over a six‐month winter period. The resulting spectra are verified against measured spectra from the same stations. Significant improvements are seen in individual cases and in statistical comparisons of spectral parameters over the whole period. Future developments and the problems to be overcome in implementing an operational wave model data assimilation system are discussed.