The impact of wave physics in the CMEMS-IBI ocean system Part A: Wave forcing validation

Abstract. The Iberian Biscay Ireland (IBI) wave system has the challenge to improve wave forecast and the coupling with ocean circulation model dedicated to western european coast. The momentum and heat fluxes at the sea surface are strongly controlled by the waves and there is a need of using accurate sea state from wave model. This work describes the more recent version of the IBI wave system and highlight the performance of system in comparison with satellite altimeters and buoys wave data. The validation process has been performed for 1-year run of the wave model MFWAM with boundary conditions provided by the global wave system. The results show on the one hand a slightly improvement on significant wave height and peak period, and on the other hand a better surface stress for high wind conditions. This latter is a consequence of using a tail wave spectrum shaped as the Philipps wave spectrum for high frequency waves.