Operational Forecast System (OFS) @IMDC

Operational Forecast System

The Operational Forecast System (OFS) is also at the core of Synapps, providing the IT architecture for implementing a forecasting/early warning system. It orchestrates all steps necessary to generate forecasts or alerts: 

• Acquisition and processing of input data
• Scheduling, setting up, and executing model simulations 
• Post-processing results 
• Publishing forecasts to predefined destinations (e.g., FTP servers, websites)  

OFS integrates wrappers and adapters to enhance flexibility. It can utilize various meteorological data sources and global/regional climate models (e.g., GFS, ICON, ECMWF). Additionally, it interfaces with multiple numerical modelling engines (e.g., TELEMAC, HECRAS, HECHMS, InfoWorks ICM, MIKE suite, Modflow) to efficiently solve field-specific problems such as hydrodynamics, hydrology, waves and currents. 

Integrated within Synapps, OFS benefits from advanced visualization capabilities (dashboards and dynamic plots), a GIS viewer, and Meetnet’s data validation tools. 

Swimming water quality

For some time now, IMDC's C&E team has been assisting the Flemish Environment Agency with studies of bathing water quality on the Belgian coast through the analysis of measurements and the deployment of numerical models. This has led to a better understanding of the steering processes and transport patterns of polluted water overflow that can spread along the coast.

To better monitor bathing water quality during the swimming season, IMDC has developed an advanced prediction model on behalf of the Department of Care and the Flemish Environment Agency. This groundbreaking model has been operational for 4 years in the Synapps-OFS prediction tool, developed by the DWS team. This tool, which uses state-of-the-art meteorological forecasts, is linked in real-time to overflow pumps from Aquafin to alert authorities and swimmers as quickly as possible.

Using a TELEMAC model, set up by the WC team, we calculate the spread of pollution due to tides, currents and wind. The forecasting system is automatically activated after an overflow and predicts water quality along the coast. Especially after heavy rainfall, untreated sewage can enter the sea through overflows, we calculate the spread of pollution due to tides, currents and wind. The forecasting system is automatically activated after an overflow and monitors water quality along the coast. Especially after heavy rainfall, untreated sewage can enter the sea through overflows.

This project is a great example of the collaboration between IMDC teams where, through the system knowledge gained in the C&E team, the modelling capability of the WC team, and the know-how of the DWS team to integrate all this into a digital tool, a well-functioning system has been developed that allows us to predict bathing water pollution on beaches, allowing the government to intervene more quickly and in a more targeted way.

Examples of the numerical model mesh and output and Synapps results