The Copernicus Marine Service ocean forecasting system for the Mediterranean Sea: 2015-2021 achievements and future perspectives

<p>The Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS) Mediterranean Monitoring and Forecasting Center (MED-MFC) adopts state of the art knowledge in scientific modeling development to operationally produce Near Real Time (NRT) and Multi-year products (MYP) for the Mediterranean Sea dynamics, from currents to waves, and biogeochemistry since 2015.</p><p>The modelling systems are based on community models (NEMO, WAM and BFM), and assimilate observational In-situ and satellite CMEMS data.</p><p>During the last 6 years, the MED-MFC systems have been substantially improved with regard to: increased resolution, improved physical, biogeochemical and wave representations thanks to modelling and data assimilation upgrades. All the systems are aligned in terms of grid resolution (1/24^o), bathymetry and share the same atmospheric and river forcing fields, moreover the wave and biogeochemical systems are forced by the MED-MFC physical fields.</p><p>The consortium also assured a continuous improvement of the accuracy of the products and their quality is continuously monitored by means of comparison with respect to available insitu and satellite observations.</p><p>The focus of this work is to present the integrated MED-MFC modelling systems and the available products, their innovative skill assessment, their evolutions during the 1^st phase of Copernicus including major recent scientific achievements. &#160;An overview of the future upgrades for the period 2022-2024 are also presented.</p>