PCTides
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Description:
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has developed a new software prediction and planning tool that accurately predicts tides and vertically integrated ocean currents anywhere on the world’s oceans. Existing tide tables are created from historical elevation data and generate tidal predictions only at these reporting stations. Tidal predictions between stations are based on general interpolation from nearest station data. These estimations do not take into account the impact of bathymetry and geometry between stations. Furthermore, tide tables contain little information for areas beyond the shoreline, cannot provide estimates of currents, and do not predict the impact of atmospheric forcing due to surface pressure or winds on water levels or currents. PCTides provides high resolution, up-to-date forecasts of tidal elevation and currents. The model can ingest user-supplied high resolution bathymetric data, transient weather effects such as wind and atmospheric pressure, and can predict storm surge. This new capability is particularly useful for locations where neither observations are regularly taken nor tidal prediction models are run. PCTides is a well developed software package in use by the US Navy.Advantages/Features Include:
- Tide and current predictions, including weather effects anywhere in the world
- Runs on a PC or Linux platform, can be automated, and is completely portable
- Approved for operational use by the US Navy
Applications Include:
- Commercial and sport fishing and diving
- Offshore construction and infrastructure planning and maintenance operations
- Military planning, operations and training
References:
- "Validation of the Global Relocatable Tide/Surge Model PCTides," Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 2008, 25, 755-775.
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Contact:
Naval Research LaboratoryTechnology Transfer Office, Code 1004
techtran@research.nrl.navy.mil