Better models for ocean forecasts
A large-scale research project called RAIA is using automated floating buoys to monitor and forecast oceanic and meteorological conditions off the coast of Portugal. However, the project is generating more data than it can effectively use, and the models it currently applies are outdated and simplistic. The EU-funded 'Data assimilation in RAIA' (RAIA.DA) project aimed to use the RAIA project data to produce better models and forecasts for this oceanic region. To achieve this, the team sought to implement a number of different methods to reduce forecasting error margins and improve the predictive power of the RAIA project. In RAIA.DA researchers replaced the single model being used for forecasting with a so-called super ensemble of models. This approach incorporates a range of forecasting models for better predictive power. Researchers used data from the RAIA project to improve the super ensemble model system over time. This will contribute to better and more useful results from the RAIA project.
Keywords
Ocean forecasts, ocean monitoring, Iberian Peninsula, meteorological conditions
