Assessment of two Wave Numerical Models to Predict the Wave Height in North of Oman Sea

One of the most important parameters of sea state expression are waves. It is important to know the wave characteristics for long-term process planning as well as for most inshore and offshore activities. MIKE21_SW and SWAN are two third-generation numerical wave models that have been widely used in numerical modeling for engineering applications and coastal research. In this paper, the capabilities of these two wave models in forecasting the wave characteristics at two points in the northern part of the Oman Sea are evaluated. In this regard, the data of both models are compared with field data of buoys located at these two points and the results were analyzed using statistical methods. The results show the high accuracy of these two models in forecasting wave characteristics at both points. Both models show slightly down estimated the wave height but highly correlated results with intermediate data in predicting wave height at both points. Also, the root mean square error of the results indicates the high accuracy of these two models in forecasting the wave heights.