On January 17-18, 2024, John Warner provided a two-day training for the COAWST (Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Waves-Sediment Transport) modeling system.
John Warner, PhD
John Warner is a research oceanographer with the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Coastal and Estuarine Dynamics Group in the US Geological Survey. He has worked for the USGS for over 20 years and focuses on coastal ocean processes with an emphasis on sediment transport using field observations and numerical modeling. He is the lead developer of an open-source and community developed Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST) numerical modeling system, which has evolved over two decades to combine publicly developed ocean, wave, atmosphere, and sediment models.
I have been working in the field of numerical modeling for estuarine, coastal, and sediment transport processes for over 25 years. I specialize in the development of coupled modeling systems that allow interaction between individual earth system model components. These advancements have led to greater understanding of physical connections between the ocean, waves, and the atmosphere.
Professional Experience
US Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA Research Oceanographer 2003-present
US Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA Postdoctoral Scholar 2001-2003
University of California, Davis, CA Graduate Research Assistant 1996 – 2000
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Civil & Environmental Engineering, Minor in Numerical Methods, December 2000
University of California, Davis
Dissertation: Barotropic and Baroclinic Convergence Zones in Tidal Channels
Comm
Science and Products
DUNEX Modeling Waves, Water Levels, Sediment Transport, and Shoreline Change
USGS DUNEX Operations on the Outer Banks
Massachusetts Integrated Coastal Studies (MICS)
COAWST Training Workshops
COAWST System Components
COAWST: A Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System
Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
The Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System
Open Ocean/Marine - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems
Cross-Shore and Inlets (CSI) Processes
Coastal Model Applications and Field Measurements- Tools and Standards for Ocean Modeling
A deep learning model and associated data to support understanding and simulation of salinity dynamics in Delaware Bay
U.S. Geological Survey simulations of 3D-hydrodynamics in Delaware Bay (2016, 2018, 2021) to improve understanding of the mechanisms driving salinity intrusion
U.S. Geological Survey simulations of 3D-hydrodynamics in Delaware Bay (2019) to improve understanding of the mechanisms driving salinity intrusion
U.S. Geological Survey simulations of hydrodynamics and morphodynamics in Cape Cod Bay, MA
Collection of COAWST model forecast for the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico
U.S. Geological Survey simulations of hydrodynamics and morphodynamics at Matanzas, FL during Hurricane Matthew (2016) and at Fire Island, NY during Hurricane Sandy (2012)
Grain-Size Analysis Data From Sediment Samples in Support of Oceanographic and Water-Quality Measurements in the Nearshore Zone of Matanzas Inlet, Florida, 2018
On January 17-18, 2024, John Warner provided a two-day training for the COAWST (Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Waves-Sediment Transport) modeling system.
Dr. John Warner, USGS, and Dr. Martha Schonau, Scripps, before deploying 11 buoys from a U.S. Navy P3 Orion aircraft from the VXS-1 squadron based out of Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. These buoys measure waves, temperature, and physical ocean properties.
Dr. John Warner, USGS, and Dr. Martha Schonau, Scripps, before deploying 11 buoys from a U.S. Navy P3 Orion aircraft from the VXS-1 squadron based out of Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. These buoys measure waves, temperature, and physical ocean properties.
The USGS partnered with North Carolina State University, Louisiana State University, and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research to investigate hurricane-induced compound flooding and sediment dispersal using coupled hydrology and ocean models.
The USGS partnered with North Carolina State University, Louisiana State University, and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research to investigate hurricane-induced compound flooding and sediment dispersal using coupled hydrology and ocean models.
In September 2022, Hurricane Ian made two landfalls on the west coast of Florida and South Carolina, creating a large, impacted region. As part of the NOPP Project, USGS forecasted the event as the hurricane approached landfall.
In September 2022, Hurricane Ian made two landfalls on the west coast of Florida and South Carolina, creating a large, impacted region. As part of the NOPP Project, USGS forecasted the event as the hurricane approached landfall.
Development and application of an Infragravity Wave (InWave) driver to simulate nearshore processes
A numerical investigation of the mechanisms controlling salt intrusion in the Delaware Bay Estuary
Processes controlling coastal erosion along Cape Cod Bay, MA
Wave asymmetry impacts on sediment processes at the nearshore of Fire Island, New York
Understanding the role of initial soil moisture and precipitation magnitude in flood forecast using a hydrometeorological modelling system
Impacts of the ocean-atmosphere coupling into the very short range prediction system during the impact of Hurricane Matthew on Cuba
Shoaling wave shape estimates from field observations and derived bedload sediment rates
Modeling of barrier breaching during Hurricanes Sandy and Matthew
Analysis of ocean dynamics during the impact of Hurricane Matthew using ocean-atmosphere coupling
Effect of wave skewness and asymmetry on the evolution of Fire Island, New York
Hydrometeorology and hydrology of flooding in Cape Fear River basin during Hurricane Florence in 2018
Modeling morphodynamics of coastal response to extreme events: What shape are we in?
Hurricane Florence Numerical Modeling
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has partnered with North Carolina State University (NCSU), Louisiana State University (LSU) and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) to investigate hurricane-induced compound flooding and sediment dispersal using coupled hydrology and ocean models.
Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST) Modeling System
The Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST) Modeling System is an agglomeration of open-source modeling components that has been tailored to investigate coupled processes of the atmosphere, ocean, and waves in the coastal ocean.
COAWST Modeling System v3.4
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 20
DUNEX Modeling Waves, Water Levels, Sediment Transport, and Shoreline Change
Large, collaborative field experiments such as DUNEX leverage observations of the coastal ocean made by multiple academic, agency, and NGO teams, providing the opportunity to grasp a broader picture of the forces responsible for coastal change. Despite deployment of many instruments, it’s impossible to measure everything, everywhere, at all times. Numerical models that represent the physical...USGS DUNEX Operations on the Outer Banks
DUring Nearshore Event eXperiment (DUNEX) is a multi-agency, academic, and non-governmental organization (NGO) collaborative community experiment designed to study nearshore coastal processes during storm events. The experiment began in 2019 and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2021. USGS participation in DUNEX will contribute new measurements and models that will increase our...Massachusetts Integrated Coastal Studies (MICS)
Coastal erosion, intense storm events and sea-level rise pose threats to coastal communities and infrastructure. Managers and scientists often lack the high-resolution data needed to improve estimates of sediment abundance and movement, shoreline change, and seabed characteristics that influence coastal vulnerability. To address these and other needs the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with...COAWST Training Workshops
Currently the Coupled-Ocean-Atmospherre-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System (COAWST) has 800 registered users from around the world. To advance the user community of the COAWST modeling system, the USGS has held trainings every two years since 2012. In general, the trainings provide both a hands-on tutorial of the system and fundamental information about the modeling components. Users from...COAWST System Components
The Coupled-Ocean-Atmospherre-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System (COAWST) modeling system currently contains the following sophisticated systems:COAWST: A Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System
Understanding the processes responsible for coastal change is important for managing both our natural and economic coastal resources. Storms are one of the primary driving forces causing coastal change from a coupling of wave- and wind-driven flows. To better understand storm impacts and their effects on our coastlines, there is an international need to better predict storm paths and intensities...Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Fire Island is a 50-km long barrier island along the south shore of Long Island, New York. The island is comprised of seventeen year-round communities; federal, state, and county parks; and supports distinct ecosystems alongside areas of economic and cultural value. In addition to providing resources to its residents, the barrier island also protects the heavily-populated mainland from storm waves...The Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System
To responsibly manage our coastal resources requires an understanding of the processes responsible for coastal change. The CMHRP developed a Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST) modeling system that allows the user to evaluate how different processes such as winds and waves, combined with sediment transport, interact with coastlines to modify them. Users can change model...Open Ocean/Marine - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Geophysical mapping and research have demonstrated that the seabed on the inner continental shelf has a variety of shapes which are linked to long-term evolution of the barrier island. Regional-scale modeling forecasts how atmospheric forcing and oceanographic circulation case sand, gravel, and other materials to be transported by tides, winds, waves, fresh water fluxes, and density variations.Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems
Estuarine processes, hazards, and ecosystems describes several interdisciplinary projects that aim to quantify and understand estuarine processes through observations and numerical modeling. Both the spatial and temporal scales of these mechanisms are important, and therefore require modern instrumentation and state-of-the-art hydrodynamic models. These projects are led from the U.S. Geological...Cross-Shore and Inlets (CSI) Processes
Exchange of flows, sediment, and biological particles between the inner shelf and back-barrier estuaries are significant for determination of extreme water levels, maintenance and formation of inlets, barrier-island evolution, and pollutant and larval transport. These connections are controlled by cross-shore processes including wave-driven inner-shelf and near-shore processes, dune overtopping...Coastal Model Applications and Field Measurements- Tools and Standards for Ocean Modeling
Ocean models provide critical information for coastal and marine spatial planning, emergency responders and for understanding implications of climate change and human activities. Models are run by numerous academic institutions and government agencies, typically with different access protocols that stifle use, comparison with data, and innovation. - Data
A deep learning model and associated data to support understanding and simulation of salinity dynamics in Delaware Bay
Salinity dynamics in the Delaware Bay estuary are a critical water quality concern as elevated salinity can damage infrastructure and threaten drinking water supplies. Current state-of-the-art modeling approaches use hydrodynamic models, which can produce accurate results but are limited by significant computational costs. We developed a machine learning (ML) model to predict the 250 mg/L Cl- isocU.S. Geological Survey simulations of 3D-hydrodynamics in Delaware Bay (2016, 2018, 2021) to improve understanding of the mechanisms driving salinity intrusion
The Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST Warner and others, 2019; Warner and others, 2010) model was used to simulate three-dimensional hydrodynamics and waves to study salinity intrusion in the Delaware Bay estuary for 2016, 2018, 2021. Salinity intrusion in coastal systems is due in part to extreme events like drought or low-pressure storms and longer-term sea level rise, thrU.S. Geological Survey simulations of 3D-hydrodynamics in Delaware Bay (2019) to improve understanding of the mechanisms driving salinity intrusion
The Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST Warner and others, 2019; Warner and others, 2010) model was used to simulate three-dimensional hydrodynamics and waves to study salinity intrusion in the Delaware Bay estuary for 2019. Salinity intrusion in coastal systems is due in part to extreme events like drought or low-pressure storms and longer-term sea level rise, threatening ecoU.S. Geological Survey simulations of hydrodynamics and morphodynamics in Cape Cod Bay, MA
The Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST; Warner and others, 2019; Warner and others, 2010) model was used to simulate ocean circulation, waves, and sediment transport in Cape Cod Bay, MA. Larger scale simulations of the US East Coast (Warner and Kalra, 2022) were used to drive numerical grids covering the Gulf of Maine (~1000m resolution) with a two-way nested downscaled regioCollection of COAWST model forecast for the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico
The COAWST modeling system has been used to simulate ocean and wave processes along the of US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. The grid has a horizontal resolution of approximately 5km and is resolved with 16 vertical terrain following levels. The model has been executed on a daily basis since 2010 with outputs written every hour. Data access is available through a Globus access portal here: https:U.S. Geological Survey simulations of hydrodynamics and morphodynamics at Matanzas, FL during Hurricane Matthew (2016) and at Fire Island, NY during Hurricane Sandy (2012)
The Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST Warner and others, 2019; Warner and others, 2010) model was used to simulate ocean circulation, waves, and sediment transport to study barrier island breaches that occurred during Hurricane Matthew (2016) near Matazas FL, and Hurricane Sandy (2012) at Fire Island, NY. Hurricane Sandy was a Saffir-Simpson Category 2 hurricane that transGrain-Size Analysis Data From Sediment Samples in Support of Oceanographic and Water-Quality Measurements in the Nearshore Zone of Matanzas Inlet, Florida, 2018
The interactions of waves and currents near an inlet influence sediment and alter sea-floor bedforms, especially during winter storms. As part of the Cross-Shore and Inlets Processes project to improve our understanding of cross-shore processes that control sediment budgets, the U.S. Geological Survey deployed instrumented platforms at two sites near Matanzas Inlet between January 24 and April 13, - Multimedia
COAWST Training
On January 17-18, 2024, John Warner provided a two-day training for the COAWST (Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Waves-Sediment Transport) modeling system.
On January 17-18, 2024, John Warner provided a two-day training for the COAWST (Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Waves-Sediment Transport) modeling system.
Hurricane Lee buoy deploymentDr. John Warner, USGS, and Dr. Martha Schonau, Scripps, before deploying 11 buoys from a U.S. Navy P3 Orion aircraft from the VXS-1 squadron based out of Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. These buoys measure waves, temperature, and physical ocean properties.
Dr. John Warner, USGS, and Dr. Martha Schonau, Scripps, before deploying 11 buoys from a U.S. Navy P3 Orion aircraft from the VXS-1 squadron based out of Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. These buoys measure waves, temperature, and physical ocean properties.
Hurricane Florence Numerical Modeling GeonarrativeHurricane Florence Numerical Modeling GeonarrativeThe USGS partnered with North Carolina State University, Louisiana State University, and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research to investigate hurricane-induced compound flooding and sediment dispersal using coupled hydrology and ocean models.
The USGS partnered with North Carolina State University, Louisiana State University, and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research to investigate hurricane-induced compound flooding and sediment dispersal using coupled hydrology and ocean models.
Hurricane IanIn September 2022, Hurricane Ian made two landfalls on the west coast of Florida and South Carolina, creating a large, impacted region. As part of the NOPP Project, USGS forecasted the event as the hurricane approached landfall.
In September 2022, Hurricane Ian made two landfalls on the west coast of Florida and South Carolina, creating a large, impacted region. As part of the NOPP Project, USGS forecasted the event as the hurricane approached landfall.
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 78
Development and application of an Infragravity Wave (InWave) driver to simulate nearshore processes
Infragravity waves are key components of the hydro-sedimentary processes in coastal areas, especially during extreme storms. Accurate modeling of coastal erosion and breaching requires consideration of the effects of infragravity waves. Here, we present InWave, a new infragravity wave driver of the Coupled Ocean-Atmopshere-Waves-Sediment Transport (COAWST) modeling system. InWave computes the spatAuthorsMaitane Olabarrieta, John C. Warner, Christie HegermillerA numerical investigation of the mechanisms controlling salt intrusion in the Delaware Bay Estuary
Salinity intrusion in coastal systems is mainly controlled by freshwater inflows. However, extreme events like drought, low-pressure storms, and longer-term sea level rise can exacerbate the landward salt migration and threaten economic infrastructure and ecological health. Along the eastern seaboard of the United States, approximately 13 million people rely on the water resources of the DelawareAuthorsSalme Ellen Cook, John C. Warner, Kendra L. RussellProcesses controlling coastal erosion along Cape Cod Bay, MA
Cape Cod Bay, MA, is a semi-enclosed embayment in the northeastern United States, open on the north to the Gulf of Maine. The coastline experiences impacts typically from strong Nor’easter storms that occur in the late fall or winter months, with some sections of this coastline being affected more severely than others. We investigate the processes that cause spatial variability in storm impacts byAuthorsJohn C. Warner, Laura L. Brothers, Emily A. Himmelstoss, Christopher R. Sherwood, Alfredo Aretxabaleta, David S. Foster, Amy S. FarrisWave asymmetry impacts on sediment processes at the nearshore of Fire Island, New York
Effects of wave asymmetry on sediment processes and coastal evolution were investigated using a field data set and a numerical model. Field observations at the nearshore of Fire Island, New York revealed sediment fluxes during various wave energy levels. The preliminary results indicate a strong correlation between the wave asymmetry and the onshore bedload fluxes. The model results captured the oAuthorsM. S. Parlak, B. U. Ayhan, John C. Warner, Tarandeep Kalra, Ilgar SafakUnderstanding the role of initial soil moisture and precipitation magnitude in flood forecast using a hydrometeorological modelling system
We adapted the WRF-Hydro modelling system to Hurricane Florence (2018) and performed a series of diagnostic experiments to assess the influence of initial soil moisture and precipitation magnitude on flood simulation over the Cape Fear River basin in the United States. Model results suggest that: (1) The modulation effect of initial soil moisture on the flood peak is non-linear and weakens as precAuthorsDongxiao Yin, George Xue, Daoyang Bao, Arezoo RafieeiNasab, Yongjie Huang, Mirce Morales, John C. WarnerImpacts of the ocean-atmosphere coupling into the very short range prediction system during the impact of Hurricane Matthew on Cuba
The main goal of this investigation is analyzing the impact of insert the ocean-atmosphere coupling into the very short range prediction system of Cuba. The ocean-atmosphere coupled components of the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System are used for this purpose and the hurricane Matthew is selected as study case. Two experiments are performed: first, using a dynamic sAuthorsLiset Vázquez Proveyer, Maibys Sierra Lorenzo, Roberto Carlos Cruz Rodríguez, John C. WarnerShoaling wave shape estimates from field observations and derived bedload sediment rates
The shoaling transformation from generally linear deep-water waves to asymmetric shallow-water waves modifies wave shapes and causes near-bed orbital velocities to become asymmetrical, contributing to net sediment transport. In this work, we used two methods to estimate the asymmetric wave shape from data at three sites. The first method converted wave measurements made at the surface to idealizedAuthorsTarandeep S. Kalra, Steven E. Suttles, Christopher R. Sherwood, John C. Warner, Alfredo Aretxabaleta, Gibson Robert Scott LeavittModeling of barrier breaching during Hurricanes Sandy and Matthew
Physical processes driving barrier island change during storms are important to understand to mitigate coastal hazards and to evaluate conceptual models for barrier evolution. Spatial variations in barrier island topography, landcover characteristics, and nearshore and back-barrier hydrodynamics can yield complex morphological change that requires models of increasing resolution and physical complAuthorsChristie Hegermiller, John C. Warner, Maitane Olabarrieta, Christopher R. Sherwood, Tarandeep S. KalraAnalysis of ocean dynamics during the impact of Hurricane Matthew using ocean-atmosphere coupling
The main goal of this investigation is to improve the understanding of ocean-atmosphere coupling during hurricanes. The present work involves the integration of the ocean-atmosphere coupled components of the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System in the Very Short Term Prediction System (SisPI). Three experiments are performed: First, using a dynamic sea surface temperatuAuthorsLiset Vázquez Proveyer, Maibys Sierra Lorenzo, Roberto Carlos Cruz Rodríguez, John C. WarnerEffect of wave skewness and asymmetry on the evolution of Fire Island, New York
Bedload transport of sediment by waves and currents is one of the key physical processes that affect the evolution of coasts, nearshore areas, and the engineering practices there. Wave skewness and asymmetry, both of which increase as waves shoal, result in a net bedload sediment flux over a wave cycle. The impacts of this mechanism on large-scale coastal and shoreline change are investigated in tAuthorsMuhammed Parlak, Bilal Ayhan, John C. Warner, Tarandeep S. Kalra, Ilgar SafakHydrometeorology and hydrology of flooding in Cape Fear River basin during Hurricane Florence in 2018
Hurricanes are the major flood generating mechanism dominating the upper tail of the peak discharge distribution over the Cape Fear River Basin (CFRB). In 2018, Hurricane Florence swamped CFRB as the ninth-most-destructive hurricane ever hit the United States and set new records of peak discharges over the main river channel and three out of five of its major tributaries. In this study, we examineAuthorsDongxiao Yin, George Xue, John C. Warner, Daoyang Bao, Yongjie Huang, Wei YuModeling morphodynamics of coastal response to extreme events: What shape are we in?
This review focuses on recent advances in process-based numerical models of the impact of extreme storms on sandy coasts. Driven by larger-scale models of meteorology and hydrodynamics, these models simulate morphodynamics across the Sallenger storm-impact scale, including swash, collision, overwash, and inundation. Models are becoming both wider (as more processes are added) and deeper (as detailAuthorsChristopher R. Sherwood, Ap van Dongeren, James Doyle, Christie Hegermiller, T. J. Hsu, Tarandeep S. Kalra, Maitane Olabarrieta, Allison Penko, Yashar Rafati, Dano Roelvink, Marlies van der Lugt, Jay Veeramony, John C. Warner - Web Tools
Hurricane Florence Numerical Modeling
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has partnered with North Carolina State University (NCSU), Louisiana State University (LSU) and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) to investigate hurricane-induced compound flooding and sediment dispersal using coupled hydrology and ocean models.
- Software
Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST) Modeling System
The Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST) Modeling System is an agglomeration of open-source modeling components that has been tailored to investigate coupled processes of the atmosphere, ocean, and waves in the coastal ocean.
COAWST Modeling System v3.4
Coupled ocean atmosphere wave sediment transport modeling system - News