Short-range ocean forecasts
Short range ocean forecasts are useful in a variety of applications:
- Sustainable management of ocean resources.
- Monitoring of fishing vessel and merchant shipping fleets.
- Safety of people and property at sea.
- Environmental protection.
- Harbour management.
- Sizing of port and maritime structures.
- Management and monitoring of coastal resources and environments.
- Tourism.
Seasonal forecasting and climate monitoring
Seasonal forecasting aims to provide useful information about the climate that can be expected in the coming months. Having a precise knowledge of the ocean state is essential when trying to forecast what the climate will be like six months ahead, thus, altimetrsource of vital data for seasonal forecasting models.
Changes in the energy balance between the oceans and atmosphere play an important role in the planet's climate change. From the seasonal to the decadal, or even the centennial timeframe, knowledge about the ocean state and its influence upon the atmosphere is one of the keys to climate forecasting. Jason-3 aids a better understanding of how oceans and climate interact.