Output fields from the NOAA WAVEWATCH III® wave model monthly hindcasts

The NOAA WAVEWATCH III® hindcast dataset comprises output fields from the monthly WAVEWATCH III® hindcast model runs conducted at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Each model run produces a collection of files containing gridded fields comprised of input and mean wave parameters such as the significant wave height, directions, frequencies etc. Once per month, a wave simulation is carried out using restart files from the previous month and forced by hindcast wind products for the entire month. The resulting output data are transferred to NCEI on a monthly basis. NCEI assembles the series of files into monthly accessions to facilitate archival retention and public access. The fields are encoded in the standard GRIdded Binary version 2 (GRIB2) file format. Wave spectral data summaries are included, as well as detailed spectra at selected locations, in tabular text format. Nine different sets of output fields, corresponding to nine different grids used in the numerical simulations, are included. These include a global grid, as well as regional and coastal grids covering much of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans.

Data and Resources

Field Value
access_constraints ["Cite as: National Centers for Environmental Prediction (2012). Output fields from the NOAA WAVEWATCH III\u00c2\u00ae wave model monthly hindcasts. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/NCEP-WAVEWATCH. Accessed [date].", "Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose."]
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bbox-north-lat 90
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contact-email ncei.info@noaa.gov
coupled-resource []
dataset-reference-date [{"type": "publication", "value": "2012-05-24"}, {"type": "revision", "value": "2021-02-22"}]
frequency-of-update asNeeded
graphic-preview-description Preview graphic
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graphic-preview-type PNG
guid gov.noaa.nodc:NCEP-WAVEWATCH
licence ["accessLevel: Public"]
metadata-date 2021-02-22T17:52:04Z
metadata-language eng
metadata_type geospatial
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spatial_harvester true
temporal-extent-begin 2005-02-01
Groups
  • AmeriGEOSS
  • National Provider
  • North America
Tags
  • 10-m-u-wind
  • 10-m-v-wind
  • amerigeo
  • amerigeoss
  • ckan
  • geo
  • geoss
  • global-ocean
  • model
  • national
  • north-america
  • ocean
  • ocean-model
  • oceanography
  • peak-wave-direction
  • peak-wave-period
  • significant-wave-height-of-combined-wind-and-swell-seas
  • united-states
  • wave-height
  • wave-period
  • wave-spectra
  • waves
isopen False
metadata_created 2025-11-21T04:46:57.385259
metadata_modified 2025-11-21T04:46:57.385263
notes The NOAA WAVEWATCH III® hindcast dataset comprises output fields from the monthly WAVEWATCH III® hindcast model runs conducted at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Each model run produces a collection of files containing gridded fields comprised of input and mean wave parameters such as the significant wave height, directions, frequencies etc. Once per month, a wave simulation is carried out using restart files from the previous month and forced by hindcast wind products for the entire month. The resulting output data are transferred to NCEI on a monthly basis. NCEI assembles the series of files into monthly accessions to facilitate archival retention and public access. The fields are encoded in the standard GRIdded Binary version 2 (GRIB2) file format. Wave spectral data summaries are included, as well as detailed spectra at selected locations, in tabular text format. Nine different sets of output fields, corresponding to nine different grids used in the numerical simulations, are included. These include a global grid, as well as regional and coastal grids covering much of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans.
num_resources 17
num_tags 22
title Output fields from the NOAA WAVEWATCH III® wave model monthly hindcasts