The MyOcean IBI Ocean Forecast and Reanalysis Systems: operational products and roadmap to the future Copernicus Service

TLDR

The MyOcean IBI‑MFC has provided continuous daily ocean model estimates and forecasts for the Iberia–Biscay–Ireland region since 2011. The paper describes the IBI model systems, summarizes validation of operational products, and outlines a roadmap toward the EU Copernicus Service. The operational IBI Ocean Forecast Service uses a NEMO model application that incorporates high‑frequency processes to capture regional marine dynamics, and the paper details this model system. A new 2002–2012 IBI reanalysis with physical and biogeochemical components was released in 2014, and validation shows the systems capture major synoptic and mesoscale circulation features.

Abstract

The MyOcean IBI-MFC (Monitoring & Forecasting Centre) has been providing continuous daily ocean model estimates and forecasts for the Iberia–Biscay–Ireland (IBI) regional seas since 2011. The operational IBI Ocean Forecast Service is based on a NEMO model application that includes high-frequency processes required to characterize regional scale marine processes. Since June 2014, a new IBI reanalysis, comprising both physical and biogeochemical components, covering the time period 2002–2012 has also been available. This paper provides an end-to-end description of these IBI model systems and presents a summary of the scientific validation assessments carried out with the derived operational products. The validation statistics suggest that the systems capture major synoptic and mesoscale ocean circulation features observed in the IBI region. Finally, an IBI roadmap towards the future EU Copernicus Service is outlined, providing a look ahead to future IBI model and data-assimilation developments and operational novelties.