Coupling ocean currents and waves for seamless cross-scale modeling during Medicane Ianos

<p>This study investigates the effects of a two-way wave–circulation coupled modeling framework during extreme weather events, with a particular focus on Medicane Ianos, one of the most intense cyclones to have occurred in the Mediterranean Sea. By utilizing a high-resolution unstructured nume...

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Main Authors: S. Causio, S. Shirinov, I. Federico, G. De Cillis, E. Clementi, L. Mentaschi, G. Coppini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-06-01
Series:Ocean Science
Online Access:https://os.copernicus.org/articles/21/1105/2025/os-21-1105-2025.pdf
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author S. Causio
S. Shirinov
S. Shirinov
I. Federico
G. De Cillis
E. Clementi
L. Mentaschi
G. Coppini
author_facet S. Causio
S. Shirinov
S. Shirinov
I. Federico
G. De Cillis
E. Clementi
L. Mentaschi
G. Coppini
author_sort S. Causio
collection DOAJ
description <p>This study investigates the effects of a two-way wave–circulation coupled modeling framework during extreme weather events, with a particular focus on Medicane Ianos, one of the most intense cyclones to have occurred in the Mediterranean Sea. By utilizing a high-resolution unstructured numerical grid, the study explores wave–current interactions in both open-ocean and coastal environments. To this scope, we developed the first external coupler dealing with the SHYFEM-MPI circulation model and the WAVEWATCH III wave model. The interactions considered in this framework include sea-state-dependent momentum flux, radiation stress, Doppler shift, dynamic water depth for waves, and effective wind speed. The study adopts a rigorous validation of the formulations using idealized benchmarks tailored for these specific processes. Afterwards, the modeling framework was employed in real-case simulations of Medicane Ianos. The model is calibrated, and the ocean variables are rigorously validated against in situ and Earth observation (EO) data, including satellite-based measurements. The study found that wave-induced surge components contribute from 10 % to 30 % of the total water level during the storm and that sea-state-dependent momentum flux during a medicane can influence the vertical structure of the ocean up to 100 <span class="inline-formula">m</span>. The accuracy of the wave model improves by around 3 % in terms of RMSE when coupled with a circulation model.</p> <p>This study underscores the importance of such coupled models in accurately forecasting medicanes, storm surges, and their impacts, particularly as climate change intensifies extreme events in the Mediterranean Sea.</p>
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institution Kabale University
issn 1812-0784
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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spelling doaj-art-2b5e8fa8d3d1491f8ac8e5b5c9fb55ac2025-08-20T03:47:20ZengCopernicus PublicationsOcean Science1812-07841812-07922025-06-01211105112310.5194/os-21-1105-2025Coupling ocean currents and waves for seamless cross-scale modeling during Medicane IanosS. Causio0S. Shirinov1S. Shirinov2I. Federico3G. De Cillis4E. Clementi5L. Mentaschi6G. Coppini7CMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), Lecce, ItalyCMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Physics and Astronomy “Augusto Righi” (DIFA), University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyCMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), Lecce, ItalyCMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), Lecce, ItalyCMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Physics and Astronomy “Augusto Righi” (DIFA), University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyCMCC Foundation – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), Lecce, Italy<p>This study investigates the effects of a two-way wave–circulation coupled modeling framework during extreme weather events, with a particular focus on Medicane Ianos, one of the most intense cyclones to have occurred in the Mediterranean Sea. By utilizing a high-resolution unstructured numerical grid, the study explores wave–current interactions in both open-ocean and coastal environments. To this scope, we developed the first external coupler dealing with the SHYFEM-MPI circulation model and the WAVEWATCH III wave model. The interactions considered in this framework include sea-state-dependent momentum flux, radiation stress, Doppler shift, dynamic water depth for waves, and effective wind speed. The study adopts a rigorous validation of the formulations using idealized benchmarks tailored for these specific processes. Afterwards, the modeling framework was employed in real-case simulations of Medicane Ianos. The model is calibrated, and the ocean variables are rigorously validated against in situ and Earth observation (EO) data, including satellite-based measurements. The study found that wave-induced surge components contribute from 10 % to 30 % of the total water level during the storm and that sea-state-dependent momentum flux during a medicane can influence the vertical structure of the ocean up to 100 <span class="inline-formula">m</span>. The accuracy of the wave model improves by around 3 % in terms of RMSE when coupled with a circulation model.</p> <p>This study underscores the importance of such coupled models in accurately forecasting medicanes, storm surges, and their impacts, particularly as climate change intensifies extreme events in the Mediterranean Sea.</p>https://os.copernicus.org/articles/21/1105/2025/os-21-1105-2025.pdf
spellingShingle S. Causio
S. Shirinov
S. Shirinov
I. Federico
G. De Cillis
E. Clementi
L. Mentaschi
G. Coppini
Coupling ocean currents and waves for seamless cross-scale modeling during Medicane Ianos
Ocean Science
title Coupling ocean currents and waves for seamless cross-scale modeling during Medicane Ianos
title_full Coupling ocean currents and waves for seamless cross-scale modeling during Medicane Ianos
title_fullStr Coupling ocean currents and waves for seamless cross-scale modeling during Medicane Ianos
title_full_unstemmed Coupling ocean currents and waves for seamless cross-scale modeling during Medicane Ianos
title_short Coupling ocean currents and waves for seamless cross-scale modeling during Medicane Ianos
title_sort coupling ocean currents and waves for seamless cross scale modeling during medicane ianos
url https://os.copernicus.org/articles/21/1105/2025/os-21-1105-2025.pdf
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AT gdecillis couplingoceancurrentsandwavesforseamlesscrossscalemodelingduringmedicaneianos
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AT lmentaschi couplingoceancurrentsandwavesforseamlesscrossscalemodelingduringmedicaneianos
AT gcoppini couplingoceancurrentsandwavesforseamlesscrossscalemodelingduringmedicaneianos