Development of a Fine-Scale (1/648°) Nested Ocean Forecasting Model for the Tunisian Shelf

A high-resolution forecasting nested hydrodynamic model has been developed for the Tunisian continental shelf to improve the representation of coastal circulation processes that are poorly resolved by basin-scale models. The fine-scale configuration employs a horizontal resolution of approximately 1/648° (~170 m) and is dynamically nested within a parent model of the central Mediterranean Sea. Initial and open boundary conditions are provided by the Mediterranean Sea Physics analysis at 1/24° resolution, while atmospheric forcing is derived from hourly GFS analysis data.
The enhanced spatial resolution enables a more realistic simulation of key coastal processes, including tidal dynamics, shelf currents, and nearshore circulation features. Model performance is evaluated against available in situ observations and Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) model products, demonstrating a substantial improvement in the representation of coastal hydrodynamics compared to lower-resolution configurations.
The developed forecasting modeling framework provides a robust tool for investigating physical processes on the Tunisian shelf and offers a valuable foundation for coastal management, environmental monitoring, and hazard assessment (e.g., storm surges and coastal flooding).