Coastal Resilience School Second Webinar: Understanding coastal hazards from operational oceanography products

The Coastal Resilience webinar series, a joint initiative by DCC-CR, CMCC, and Deltares, continues.

As part of the ongoing series running until April, this session follows the structure of two webinars per month, each featuring two expert speakers addressing key topics in coastal resilience. This time, speakers Ghada el Serafy and Emanuela Clementi will focus on "Understanding Coastal Hazards from Operational Oceanography Products," exploring how data and tools from operational oceanography can support coastal resilience strategies.

Programme

• 14:00 CET – Introduction (10 min)
• 14:10 CET – Ghada el Serafy’s presentation (30 min)
• 14:40 CET – Q&A (10 min)
• 14:50 CET – Break (20 min)
• 15:10 CET – Introduction (10 min)
• 15:20 CET – Emanuela Clementi’s presentation (30 min)
• 15:50 CET – Q&A (10 min)

Ghada El Serafy, Deltares – Speech Title TBD

Regional ocean forecasting systems

By Emanuela Clementi, CMCC 

Abstract

Regional Ocean Forecasting Systems are based on numerical models designed to simulate and predict oceanic conditions at a regional scale, such as seas, or specific basins. These systems integrate advanced physics-based equations to represent key processes like currents, temperature, salinity, and sea level dynamics. They often rely on high-resolution grids to capture fine-scale features, such as eddies, upwelling events, and complex coastal interactions.
Driven by real-time observations and global model outputs, regional forecasting systems provide detailed, short- to medium-term predictions. These forecasts are critical for a wide range of applications, including maritime safety, fisheries management, pollution control, and climate studies. They also support decision-making for offshore operations and coastal infrastructure protection.
In the Mediterranean Sea, for example, regional forecasting systems help predict phenomena like heatwaves, surges and other extreme events. Their accuracy depends on continuous improvements in modeling, data assimilation techniques, computational capabilities, and collaboration between research institutions and operational centers. By enhancing our understanding of localized ocean dynamics, these systems play a key role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and supporting the sustainable use of marine resources.