The group for marine forecasts at NIMH–BAS conducts scientific and applied research related to the development and implementation of numerical models to the specific conditions of the Black Sea for prediction of wind waves and the spread of oil spills resulting from natural disasters or industrial accidents.

Daily operations of the group for Marine Meteorology at the Information Center of NIMH-BAS includes 3 wave model: WAVEWATCH III (NOAA), WAM (ECMWF) and SWAN (TU-DELFT)- for the near shore forecasts, results of which are used for numerical analysis and short-term forecast of wind waves in the Black Sea.

The forcing data for the wave models are the wind forecasts from the coupling of the French atmospheric model ARPEGE and ALADIN. Wind forecasts from these atmospheric models are calculated twice a day (06.00 and 18.00 UTC), then 72 hour forecast of wave characteristics is calculated (significant wave height, mean direction of wave propagation and wave period). The models cover the Black Sea with a numerical grid of 41.5°N to 46.5°N and 28.0°E to 41.5°E and space step of 0.125° in latitude and longitude, and 0.033° for SWAN for the entire Black Sea and about 400 m for the Bay of Burgas

The wave models WAVEWATCH III and SWAN have been validated by a comparison with EO altimeter data from satellites ENVISAT, JASON1/2 in the frame of EU FP7 project IncREO

http://www.increo-fp7.eu/project-overview/project-structure/wind-waves-and-storm-surges-use-cases-france-and-bulgaria/

http://info.meteo.bg/projects/IncREO/index.php?glaven=tasks&ez=EN

The wave models are the main components of the Early Warning System for the hydro-meteorological hazards (storms, high waves, coastal floods ) along the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea

Upon signing a contract with NIMH expert evaluation of sea state, and detailed forecast for winds and wind waves will be available to you via Internet.

Contacts:
      Phone. +359 2 462-4610;
      GSM +359 887 507 404;
      WEB http://weather.bg