Real-time environmental forecasts of the Chesapeake Bay: Model setup, improvements, and online visualization

Daily real-time nowcasts (current conditions) and 2-day forecasts of environmental conditions in the Chesapeake Bay have been continuously available for 4 years. The use a 3-D hydrodynamic-biogeochemical model with 1–2 km resolution output every 6 h that includes salinity, water temperature, pH, aragonite saturation state, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, hypoxic volume. Visualizations are through local institutional website (www.vims.edu/hypoxia) MARACOOS Oceans Map portal (https://oceansmap.maracoos.org/chesapeake-bay/). Modifications to graphics on routinely made based stakeholder input formatted mobile device. Continuous files were developed from daily forecast files, hindcast simulations efficient evaluation improvement model. This manuscript describes setup forecasting system, how accuracy has improved, revision online feedback.