Numerical Study of Storm Surges and Tide around Korea Using Operational Ocean Model

Abstract

In this study, a two-dimensional storm surges/tide prediction model called the Storm surges/Tide Operational Model (STORM) was developed and applied as the operational forecast model of the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). STORM has good horizontal resolution (8 km) and accounts for the interaction between tides and storm surges. This model has been implemented for the northwestern Pacific Ocean includingthe area around the Korean Peninsula. To examine the model performance, a hindcasting experiment was carried out for Typhoon Maemi. The results showed good agreement between the simulation and observation. The operational model results were also verified for two years (June 2005-June 2007) using observed sea level data from tidal stations around the Korean Peninsula. Comparisons of modeled and observed sea level revealed larger differences at the western coast of Korea than at the southern and eastern coasts. The seasonal variations of bias and root mean square error (RMSE) between the modeled and observed sea levels generally showed small differences in summer and large differences in winter. The average bias, RMSE, and correlation coefficients for 12 total stations between modeled and observed values were −0.13 m (−0.14 m), 0.47 m (0.47 m), and 0.79 (0.78) for 24-hour (48-hour) forecasts.

Parameter estimations of a storm surge model using a genetic algorithm

“…The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) developed the STORM model based on the Princeton Ocean Model (Blumberg and Mellor 1987) in 2006 (You and Seo 2009). The STORM domain covers 115°to 150°E, 20°to 52°N with 1/12°horizontal resolution including the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and the East Sea, which are marginal seas around Korea (Fig.…”

Comparison of storm surge/tide predictions between a 2-D operational forecast system, the regional tide/storm surge model (RTSM), and the 3-D regional ocean modeling system (ROMS)

“…The model's bottom topography was based on the National Geophysical Data Center ETOPO5 data, which has a 5- min resolution. A detailed description and the general performance of RTSM have been reported by You and Seo (2009) and You (2009). Vertically integrated equations for tides and storm surges incorporate bottom friction using nonlinear advective terms.…”

“…To protect lives and property, accurate forecasting of storm surges is essential. Various data analysis and numerical modeling techniques for storm surges around the Korean Peninsula have been used for hindcasting and forecasting (Hwang 1971;Chu 1987;Oh et al 1988;Choi 1986;Oh and Kim 1990;Hong and Yoon 2003;You and Seo 2009;You 2009). …”

“…Only since July 2006, with the development of a formal operational storm surge/tide model, has storm surge predication been carried out and broadcast in routine forecasts by the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA). The KMA storm surge/tidal model, formally called the regional tide/storm surge model (RTSM), covers the entire Korean Peninsula with a horizontal resolution of 8 km (You and Seo 2009;You 2009). You and Seo (2009) and You (2009) verified RTSM results for 3 years (2005)(2006)(2007) using observed sea level data from tidal stations around the Korean Peninsula.…”