Category: News of the Jason-2 mission

Assimilation of altimetric data in models improve operational ocean forecasting systems.

A southern swell reached the Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean last September 3 and 4, 2008. The swell train which has grown to 400 km south-west of the island was measured by the Jason-1 and Jason-2 satellites. The data acquired by Jason-1 (Jason-2 is still for a few months, in a calibration-validation phase) have contributed to improve the ocean forecasts compared to the usual numerical models.

Jason-2 Significant wave heights along the track between the 1st and the 4th of September. South of Reunion island, the satellite overflew an area of high waves. These data available 2 h after the measurement can be assimilated in real-time sea state forecast models.

For the record:

• Applications, Atmosphere, wind and waves: <link>Southern swell in the Indian Ocean in May 12, 2007.