AVOCAT

Atmosphere, Waves, and Ocean Coupled for Improved Numerical Weather Prediction.

AVOCAT project

The AVOCAT project aims to create a new Ocean-Wave-Atmosphere (OWA) coupled configuration based on operational models in the OLIVE environment, capable of operating in research and operational modes using the digital resources of Météo-France's supercomputers in Toulouse.

Key project data

Project Timeline

2 years (june 2025-2027)

Budget

114 623 € (90 343 € from FEDER)

Funding & Support

1.1.9 PE FEDER 2021-2027

Project Location

Reunion Island / South West Indian Ocean basin

Core Team

3 researchers

Digital Environments

Météo-France supercomputers (Toulouse)

Project Partners

5 researchers from the project Application of Research to Operations for the Assembly of AROME with Environmental Systems (AROBASE). The aim of this project is to create a multi-coupled modeling and forecasting system at kilometer scale at Météo-France.

Project Phases

1. Technical implementation of the OVA configuration

Implementation of an ocean-wave-atmosphere (OWA) configuration using the NEMO, MF-WAM, and AROME models.

2. Establishment of a cyclone reference database

Selection of around fifteen TC from the CMRS-Cyclones Best Tracks (BT; reference produced from a panel of in-situ measurements and analysis) based on cyclonic characteristics (intensities, tracks, speed of movement, notable phenomena, etc.).

3. Evaluation of different configurations for TCs prediction and selection of the AVOCAT configuration

Simulation of TCs selected from several configurations set up in order to compare the use of a 1D vs. 3D ocean, the use of a wave model or not, the parameterization scheme at the air-sea interface, WASP versus ECUME, and to evaluate these configurations in relation to BT. The objective is to analyze the biases for each configuration and select a configuration, which will be called the AVOCAT configuration.

4. Evaluation of the AVOCAT configuration and comparison with the operational configuration

Calculation of forecast biases for sensitive weather (precipitation, winds) in Reunion based on data from observation stations and radar products. Comparison of waves generated by the AVOCAT model with waves forced by AROME-OI in relation to observation data (buoys or altimetry satellites).

Schematic diagram of the compartments of the coupled OVA system