About the Nowcast

The St. Louis Estuary Nowcast System is a real-time simulation of estuary and lake conditions, based on output from a hydrodynamic model. The model divides the estuary and adjoining Lake Superior into small triangular sections, and calculates parameters such as water temperature, water velocity, and water level for each of those sections using a physics-based system of equations. Every three hours, real-time meteorological data is retrieved from stations around Lake Superior, and the model is updated.

The Nowcast system is funded by the Great Lakes Observing System. It uses the FVCOM numerical model for water currents, water temperature, and water level, and the WAVEWATCH III model for wave heights. Real-time meteorological data is obtained from NOAA GLERL. The model is forced with meteorological parameters such as wind velocity, air temperature, barometric pressure, and solar radiation, which are used to calculate the flux of heat and momentum between the atmosphere and the underlying water. While the focus of the Nowcast is on the St. Louis River Estuary, it produces output throughout Lake Superior.

NOTICE: The Nowcast system is currently in a testing and validation phase. All data presented should be considered preliminary and unverified, and should not be relied upon at this time.