Better operational forecasting for contemporary Arctic via ocean wave integration

Abstract

Whether configured for operational purposes or for research, current coupled ice-ocean models and oceanic global circulation models lack sophistication in regard to core aspects of sea ice behavior, notably the determinative contribution that ocean waves make in evolving the sea ice canopy and hastening its annihilation. Considerably enhanced climate- resolving accuracy and reliability can potentially be achieved by incorporating naturally pervasive ocean wave / sea ice interactivity into a state-of-the-art polar ocean modeling framework originally developed and hosted by NERSC in Norway. This paper focuses on how to do this, recognizing the benefits that will flow from the research through better model parameterization and forecasting precision—especially with reference to contemporary adverse global warming effects.