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Bluelink Ocean Forecasting Bluelink is an ocean forecasting research and development project that was established in 2001 as a partnership between the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Ocean forecasting capabilities on global, regional and littoral scales have been developed in Bluelink. One of the goals of Bluelink was the development an operational forecasting system known as the Ocean Modelling, Analysis and Prediction System (OceanMAPS), which was implemented at the Bureau of Meteorology in September 2007. The development of OceanMAPS was underpinned by the Bluelink Reanalysis (BRAN), a system designed to hindcast the time evolving three-dimensional ocean state using all availalable oceanographic observations. A relocatable ocean atmosphere model (ROAM) using a suite of ocean, atmosphere and wave models with a sophisticated user interface was also developed to allow non-expert users to independently set up and execute a model for the delivery of a forecast. Littoral (surf-zone) applications were also developed to provide the capability for the prediction of waves, currents and morphological change in the littoral zone. The latest Bluelink forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology

History

Technology The Bluelink global ocean forecasting system combines the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) Modular Ocean Model (MOM), the Bluelink Ocean Data Assimilation System (BODAS) and a range of meteorological and oceanic observations from satellites operated by international agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). These continuously transmit data via the Global Telecommunications System (GTS), measuring the sea-level, sea-surface temperature, wind, rainfall and evaporation over the ocean surface. In addition to this Argo robotic ocean profilers, which observe the upper two kilometres of the ocean in the same way as radiosondes measure atmospheric conditions, are also combined into the system and used to describe the ocean state. Observations are also used to validate the errors in the forecasts and provide uncertainty estimates and practical forecast guidance. Bluelink models are forced by weather predictions produced by BoM, which rely on a combination of satellite, radar, and land-based measurements of air temperature, humidity, wind, and cloud cover.

Scientific Publications Significant Events
 * 2014 March – Bluelink used in search for MH370.
 * 2013 January – Bluelink contributes to improved Global Ocean forecasting. ABC Interview
 * 2012 November – Bluelink forecasting in the surf zone at Secret Harbour. ABC Interview
 * 2010 June – Bluelink on the ABC Catalyst Program. ABC Program
 * 2008 July – Bluelink helps in search for HMAS Sydney. ABC Program
 * 2008 June – Bluelink team nominated for Eureka Science Award in support of Defence and National Security.
 * 2007 August – Bluelink uncovers ocean secrets. ABC Program

Status The Bluelink research team continues to develop forecasting capabilities for ocean circulation on scales ranging from global eddy-scales, regional shelf-scales and littoral beach-scales, for the benefit of the Australian and international communities.

Contributors

References