Construction of near real-time forecast system using global nonhydrostatic model and actual uses at JAMSTEC intensive observations

Abstract

The JAMSTEC's facilities and equipment, including research vessels, latest observation instruments, and supercomputers, enable us to approach research targets in marine and earth science both from the in-situ observations and the numerical simulations. We have developed a near real-time forecast system using Nonhydrostatic ICosahedral Atmospheric Model “NICAM” on the Earth Simulator, and operated the system in JAMSTEC intensive field campaigns. Near real-time forecasts were carried out during the research vessel “MIRAI” cruise over the Eastern Indian Ocean (MR17-08, MR15-04), as a part of an international campaign “YMC (Years of the Maritime Continent)”, led by JAMSTEC. During the “MIRAI” Arctic Ocean cruise (MR17-05C), we carried out near real-time forecasts for the polar regions for the first time, as a pilot study toward optimization of targeted observation.

We plan to improve the forecast system by thorough validations in the forthcoming campaigns in various locations on the globe.