Home > Explore News > Wave Forecast Model Increases Accuracy for North Carolina Boaters

Wave Forecast Model Increases Accuracy for North Carolina Boaters

Published on: 01/06/2012
Research Area(s): Marine Spatial Ecology

The National Weather Service in Newport, North Carolina is bringing our Wave Exposure Model (called WEMo) into its daily weather forecasts for the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds and their tributaries. Previously, boaters relied on forecasts based on only four locations over 3000 square miles, which ledto hazardous situations for boatersencountering waveshigher thanthose forecast.

This month, researchers from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the Weather Service began to develop a model with data from 440 locations and includes 90 wind scenarios broken out over 8 forecast zones. The model will provide precise wind-wave height information in an easy-to-use graphical format on the Weather Service's website.

Once tests are complete, NOAA will begin a public awareness campaign.

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