Altimetry-derived tide model for improved tide and water level forecasting along the European continental shelf

Abstract With the continued rise in global mean sea level, operational predictions of tidal height and total water levels have become crucial for accurate estimations understanding level processes. The Dutch Continental Shelf Model Delft3D Flexible Mesh (DCSM-FM) is developed at Deltares to operationally estimate help trigger early warning systems mitigate against these extreme events. In this study, a regional version Empirical Ocean Tide model Northwest European Sea (EOT-NECS) with aim apply better forcing along boundary DCSM-FM. EOT-NECS DGFI-TUM by using 30 years multi-mission along-track satellite altimetry derive constituents which are estimated both empirically semi-empirically. Compared model, EOT20, showed reduction root-square-sum error eight major 0.68 cm compared situ tide gauges. When applying from boundaries DCSM-FM, an overall improvement 0.29 was seen root-mean-square made some regions exceeding 1 improvement. Furthermore, fourteen tested, eleven RMS when included DCSM-FM EOT-NECS. results demonstrate importance appropriate model(s) as forcings, use has positive impact on northwest continental seas.