The modified method of reanalysis wind data in estuarine areas

High-quality wind field data are key to improving the accuracy of storm surge simulations in coastal and estuarine water. These data are also of great significance in studying the dynamic processes in coastal areas and safeguarding human engineering structures. A directional correction method for ECMWF reanalysis wind data was proposed in this paper based on the correlation with the measured wind speed and direction. The results show that the accuracies of wind speed and direction were improved after being modified by the correction method proposed in this paper. The modified wind data were applied to drive the storm surge model of the Yangtze Estuary for typhoon events, which resulted in a significant improvement to the accuracy of hindcasted water levels. The error of the hindcasted highest water levels was reduced by 16–19 cm