Validation of WRF-Simulated North Sea Wind Fields: A Comparative Analysis with Observations at LEG and EPL Platforms

Abstract This study evaluates the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model’s ability to simulate wind fields in the North Sea, using lidar data from the Europlatform (EPL) and Lichteiland Goeree (LEG) platforms. Three nested domain configurations with increasing resolution (18 km to 0.5 km) were tested over a 23-day period to assess spatial and temporal resolution impacts. Case 0 (18/6/2 km), Case 1 (9/3/1 km), and Case 2 (3/1.5/0.5 km) used the MYNN planetary boundary layer scheme and Fitch wind farm parameterization. Case 2 showed the strongest agreement with observed wind speed (correlation: 0.87–0.88) and direction (0.88). Wake impact analysis highlighted strengths and limitations in WRF’s representation of wind farm effects. All cases captured the peak in wind speed ratio (ΔWSR) around 200°–250°, where LEG is primarily affected by the wake, with Case 0 aligning best with observations.