Introduction to KMA Operational Forecasting System for Rip Current

Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) developed a rip current forecast system that considers bathymetric and meteorological effect through Research and Development program. The system is based on high resolution topography and uses wave direction, height and period of incident wave, tidal elevation and wind condition for operating. And boundary conditions are obtained by the Regional Data Assimilation and Prediction System and Coastal Wave Prediction System, a weather forecasting system of the KMA. The rip current forecast system predicts a daily 72-hour current field. Additionally forecasters analyze hourly conditions which are wave height, wave period, wave direction and wind direction and then support cooperation organizations with a rip current information (safe, advisory, warning and danger). Recently rip currents also occur on Yangyang (Naksan Beach), Jeju island (Jungmun Saekdal Beach). Therefore the authors plan to extend the prediction areas by applying the forecast system to Naksan and Jungmun.