KASSANDRA: Storm Surge forecasting system for the Mediterranean Sea

Kassandra is an storm surge operational forecast system for the Mediterranean Sea. It consists in a 3D finite element hydrodynamic model (SHYFEM), including a tidal model, in a third generation finite element spectral wave model (WWMII), fully coupled to the hydrodynamic model and using as input surface data (wind and pressure) obtained from a suite of meteorological models provided by ISAC-CNR. The numerical simulation system of the coastal circulation provides daily forecasts, to maximum 4 days each, the whole Mediterranean Sea at steps of 3 hours. Such a model well reproduces the tide and wind induced water circulation in the coastal area having a resolution of 1 km along the Italian coast. This forecast system results from the collaboration between three institutes of the CNR-DTA (ISMAR, ISAC and IAMC) and Dr. Aaron Roland and Prof. U. Zanke from the Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany.

The operational forecast are available at: www.ismar.cnr.it/kassandra