Automated Wave Forecasting for the Great Lakes

Abstract

The automated Great Lakes wave forecast method of the National Weather Service's Techniques Development Laboratory is described. The method, which is based on specialized wind forecasts for the Great Lakes and the wave forecast method of Bretschneider, has been used operationally since January 1975. The method of determining fetch length and duration time is explained. Forecasts of wave height are made twice daily and extend to 36 h in advance. Comparisons of 24 and 30 h forecasts of significant wave height to observations from Waverider accelerometer wave gages of the Corps of Engineers and NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory are made for five storm cases during the fall of 1975. The forecasts agree fairly well with the observations.