Forecasting ocean conditions

Ocean conditions are measured through the acquisition of physical data on ocean currents, temperature, salinity, sea surface height, and sea-ice conditions. Such data is important for both research and other sectors, such as knowledge-based and sustainable ocean management. The data must be processed before it can be converted into correct information.

At the Nansen Center, we have developed the data assimilation system TOPAZ, which is based on the ocean model HYCOM, the ecosystem model ECOSMO, the sea-ice model CICE, and the Ensemble Kalman Filter assimilation method, which was also developed at the Nansen Center.

TOPAZ is used in the production of datasets for the Copernicus Marine Service. This service provides free access to anyone who wants information about the state of the sea in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. The service produces forecasts for the near future, and ocean information about the last 30 years, so-called reanalyses.

We use high-resolution model versions to provide more detailed information and forecasts for smaller regions, as needed. Our ocean model has been tested and evaluated through use in the Barents Sea, Gulf of Mexico, South China Sea, and the Agulhas region.

For more information, contact research leader Annette Samuelsen.

Datasets

For access to visualised forecasts that show analyses and forecasts of ocean conditions in northern regions and the Arctic Ocean, go to Copernicus

Datasets

For access to visualised forecasts that show analyses and forecasts of tides in northern regions and the Arctic Ocean, go to Copernicus