In order to prepare the assimilation system to the operational use, 1-year run of the wave model WAM cycle 4 with assimilation of ASAR level 2 wave products has been performed and investigated. The results are validated with independent wave data such as the altimeters Jason-1, Geosat Follow On (GFO) and the NDBC buoys. We also discussed the results in different ocean regions. This shows, in general, an improvement of the wave prediction in both analysis and forecast periods. In other respects, we have implemented a separate computation of the correction weights related to the wave energy and the components of wave number of dominant wave trains. A test run for one month has been perfomed. This indicates better estimate of the mean wave parameters. In other respects, the assimilation system was applied in case of severe storms generating high swells such as the event happened on May 12, 2007 near the french island La Réunion. The test run shows remarkbly the benefit of using ASAR wave spectra on the swell prediction. Other test runs have been performed to assess the impact of assimilating very long waves detected by the ASAR during a day at the same locations.
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