A Deep Learning Model for Forecasting Sea Surface Height Anomalies and Temperatures in the South China Sea

The field of forecasting oceanic variables has traditionally relied on numerical models, which effectively consider the ocean's dynamic evolution and are of physical importance. However, to make the models more realistic, complicated processes need to be considered, which is difficult because their calculations are complex. In fact, information on the internal dynamic mechanisms and external driving forces of the ocean are already embedded in the time series of observations. Therefore, we can determine the patterns of ocean variations through data mining of these series to achieve forecasting. Furthermore, to predict variations in ocean processes more realistically, interactions between variables and spatial correlations should be effectively considered. Thus, inspired by available remote sensing data and advancements in deep learning technologies, we develop a hybrid model based on a statistical method and a deep learning model to predict multiple sea surface variables. A case study in the South China Sea shows that this model is highly promising for short-term daily forecasts of the sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) and sea surface temperature (SST). When the forecast time is 10 days, the root mean square errors of this model forecasts for SSHA and SST are approximately 0.0276 m and 0.46 degrees C, respectively, which are much smaller than those of persistence, climatology and linear regression predictions. The anomaly correlation coefficients for SSHA and SST are approximately 0.864 and 0.633, respectively. The model performs satisfactorily under both normal and typhoon weather conditions.

Automated summary

Traditionally, oceanic variable forecasting relies on numerical models, but data mining of time series can help determine patterns of ocean variations. To predict ocean process variations realistically, interactions between variables and spatial correlations should be considered. A hybrid model combining statistical methods and deep learning has shown promise in short-term daily sea surface variable forecasts.