Satellite data for the storm surge community (original) (raw)

The eSurge project was an ESA DUE project which ran from 2011 to 2015. Its aim was

to improve the modelling and forecasting of storm surges through the increased use of advanced satellite data, including advanced products such as scatterometry and coastal altimetry.

More information about the project can be found via the project documents. In particular, the final report summarises the main outcomes of the project.

eSurge leaves a strong legacy of data, services and networks that future storm surge projects can build upon. In particular:

• We encourage ongoing participation in the Storm Surge Network, a collaboration between researchers in the field.
• eSurge data is now available for selected events through the GDACS service provided by the EC's Joint Research Council.
• The coastal altimetry community is taking forward some of the work done in eSurge, in particular on the ALES retracker.
• The work done by DMI on assimilation of altimetry into surge models has been published in Journal of Geophysical Research (doi/10.1002/2015JC011070))

What is a Storm Surge?

A storm surge is an unexpectedly high water level brought on by unusual atmospheric conditions. Much of the world's coastline is at risk of storm surges, which are among the most devastating of natural catastrophes. Read more.

Case Study: Venice

The eSurge Venice project has shown how assimilating scatterometry wind data can significantly improve surge forecasting in the Adriatic. Read more.

Case study: Altimetry Assimilation in the Baltic Sea

Using coastal altimetry data from eSurge, DMI have developed a new method of blending altimetry and tide gauges. Read more.

Case Study: Using altimetry as virtual tide gauges

Coastal altimetry has a natural application to storm surges and has been an important part of eSurge. Read more.