US Navy Global and Regional Wave Modeling

Abstract

This article reviews the prediction of wind-generated surface gravity waves over the world ocean by the US Navy. The numerical wave model WAVEWATCH III® is used operationally for this purpose at the two primary Navy operational centers, the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center and the Naval Oceanographic Office. This model is briefly described, and an overview is given of the current operational and near-operational features of global- and regional-scale wave models at the two centers. Planned features are summarized.

Keywords

• WAVEWATCH III
• WW3
• gravity wave
• wave models