Ensemble Graph Neural Networks for Probabilistic Sea Surface Temperature Forecasting via Input Perturbations

Fuente: arXiv
Salvato in:
Dettagli Bibliografici
Autori principali: González-Santana, Alejandro J., Cuervo-Londoño, Giovanny A., Sánchez, Javier
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2026
Soggetti:
Accesso online:
Tags: Aggiungi Tag
Nessun Tag, puoi essere il primo ad aggiungerne!!
_version_ 1866915839300599808
author González-Santana, Alejandro J.
Cuervo-Londoño, Giovanny A.
Sánchez, Javier
author_facet González-Santana, Alejandro J.
Cuervo-Londoño, Giovanny A.
Sánchez, Javier
contents Accurate regional ocean forecasting requires models that are both computationally efficient and capable of representing predictive uncertainty. This work investigates ensemble learning strategies for sea surface temperature (SST) forecasting using Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), with a focus on how input perturbation design affects forecast skill and uncertainty representation. We adapt a GNN architecture to the Canary Islands region in the North Atlantic and implement a homogeneous ensemble approach inspired by bagging, where diversity is introduced during inference by perturbing initial ocean states rather than retraining multiple models. Several noise-based ensemble generation strategies are evaluated, including Gaussian noise, Perlin noise, and fractal Perlin noise, with systematic variation of noise intensity and spatial structure. Ensemble forecasts are assessed over a 15-day horizon using deterministic metrics (RMSE and bias) and probabilistic metrics, including the Continuous Ranked Probability Score (CRPS) and the Spread-skill ratio. Results show that, while deterministic skill remains comparable to the single-model forecast, the type and structure of input perturbations strongly influence uncertainty representation, particularly at longer lead times. Ensembles generated with spatially coherent perturbations, such as low-resolution Perlin noise, achieve better calibration and lower CRPS than purely random Gaussian perturbations. These findings highlight the critical role of noise structure and scale in ensemble GNN design and demonstrate that carefully constructed input perturbations can yield well-calibrated probabilistic forecasts without additional training cost, supporting the feasibility of ensemble GNNs for operational regional ocean prediction.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_06153
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Ensemble Graph Neural Networks for Probabilistic Sea Surface Temperature Forecasting via Input Perturbations
González-Santana, Alejandro J.
Cuervo-Londoño, Giovanny A.
Sánchez, Javier
Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence
Geophysics
Accurate regional ocean forecasting requires models that are both computationally efficient and capable of representing predictive uncertainty. This work investigates ensemble learning strategies for sea surface temperature (SST) forecasting using Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), with a focus on how input perturbation design affects forecast skill and uncertainty representation. We adapt a GNN architecture to the Canary Islands region in the North Atlantic and implement a homogeneous ensemble approach inspired by bagging, where diversity is introduced during inference by perturbing initial ocean states rather than retraining multiple models. Several noise-based ensemble generation strategies are evaluated, including Gaussian noise, Perlin noise, and fractal Perlin noise, with systematic variation of noise intensity and spatial structure. Ensemble forecasts are assessed over a 15-day horizon using deterministic metrics (RMSE and bias) and probabilistic metrics, including the Continuous Ranked Probability Score (CRPS) and the Spread-skill ratio. Results show that, while deterministic skill remains comparable to the single-model forecast, the type and structure of input perturbations strongly influence uncertainty representation, particularly at longer lead times. Ensembles generated with spatially coherent perturbations, such as low-resolution Perlin noise, achieve better calibration and lower CRPS than purely random Gaussian perturbations. These findings highlight the critical role of noise structure and scale in ensemble GNN design and demonstrate that carefully constructed input perturbations can yield well-calibrated probabilistic forecasts without additional training cost, supporting the feasibility of ensemble GNNs for operational regional ocean prediction.
title Ensemble Graph Neural Networks for Probabilistic Sea Surface Temperature Forecasting via Input Perturbations
topic Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence
Geophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.06153