Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) Hydrodynamic Model

The ROMS (Regional Ocean Modeling System) hydrodynamic model is run for a domain that covers the Irish waters in the Northeast Atlantic. The model has a mean horizontal resolution of 1.9 km and 40 terrain-following vertical layers. The system Produces a best Estimate of the ocean state once a week and also a daily 3-day forecast. Parameters modeled include: ocean temperature and salinity, sea level, and ocean currents. In addition, two models with a horizontal resolution of 200-250 m are nested within the larger model to give 3 day forecasts of ocean state for the greater Galway Bay area (Connemara model) and the southwest of Ireland (Bantry Bay model). The ocean forecasts are generated on a “best endeavors” basis and should not be used for safety critical applications.