Comparing Numerical and Satellite Data on Wind Wave Fields in the Indian Ocean

Abstract

The results of computation of wind wave fields for two versions of the WAM model (the original version of the European wind wave model WAM4 and its modified version WAM4-M) are compared with satellite measurements. The mapped data on the daily averaged wave height obtained from the data of combined measurements of several satellite altimeters are used. Significant correlation between wind wave series for both models and satellite data is demonstrated as well as the advantage of the WAM4-M model over its original version in accuracy and some statistical parameters of comparison with the altimeter. Advantages and shortcomings of numerical and remote sensing methods of wind wave investigation at the ocean scales are noted.