GODAE is sponsored by
The CSS projects
Mediterranean
P34 - ALERMO
Model domain and SST This ongoing project, conducted by the University Athens, Greece, aims at hydrodynamical forecasting of the Levantine basin and the Aegean Sea. In the project, the POM model is downscaled from the MFS OGCM (GODAE configuration).
Project name, acronym
Aegean-Levantine Eddy Resolving Model (ALERMO)
Domain
The ALERMO model covers the geographical area 20°E - 36.4°E, 30.7°N - 41.2°N and has one open boundary located at 20°E. It is based on Princeton Ocean Model (POM). The computational grid has a horizontal resolution of 1/30° x 1/30° (493×316 grid points) and 25 sigma levels.
Objectives
In the framework of MFSTEP the basic steps of implementing near real time 5 days forecasts at regional/shelf scale in the Mediterranean Sea was carried out, developing a system of fifteen (15) models, from basin to shelf scale. University of Athens (Greece) was responsible for the Aegean-Levantine domain system as well as for the whole regional and shelf scale system.
The ALERMO forecast results are used by several shelf models (seven at this moment) in the region for operational and research activities.
The ALERMO forecast system is already integrated in EU and national projects that are commencing in the next few months.
Downscaling
The ALERMO model is initialized daily from the MFSTEP Mediterranean OGCM using the Variational Initialization method (Auclair et al. 2000), producing 5-days forecast. Atmospheric conditions over the ALERMO domain are provided by the SKIRON/Eta atmospheric forecasting system (Kallos et al., 2005). The Eta atmospheric model used in the SKIRON system is an operational weather prediction model, currently running with a 1/10° x 1/10° horizontal resolution analysis for the needs of MFSTEP.
A 5-days forecast is available here (temperature, salinity, velocity at specific depths and sea surface elevation)
Three high resolution forecasting systems (1/60° x 1/60°) are nested in ALERMO:
- North Aegean - operated by the University of Athens
- CYCOFOS - operated by the University of Cyprus
- Southeastern Levantine - operated by the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute
At this point GODAE estimates can be used for validation/tuning purposes. In the future, ocean parameters can be also used in assimilation procedures.
The project validation strategy is based on data of the MFSTEP operational observing system as well as University of Athens independent observational activities (ARGO floats, cruises, etc.).
Project status
MFSTEP project was completed (31/05/2006). The ALERMO system continues to produce forecast and is integrated in EU (ECOOP) and national projects that are commencing in the next few months.
(Last Updated: 29-01-2008)