Here we analyze the wave hindcast reliability for a proper description of wave climate in the Mediterranean Sea. To this aim, 6-hourly 35-years ECMWF (European Center Medium Weather Forecast) wave data at 0.7° resolution grid are compared with those provided by means of a meteocean modelling chain operative at DICCA, University of Genoa (http://www.dicca.unige.it/meteocean/) covering a 34-years temporal span at an hourly frequency on a 0.1° resolution domain. Results reveal not negligible differences in evaluating significant wave heights at peaks; in particular the tendency to underrate values in storm sea conditions performed by ECMWF dataset is here evidenced. This behavior turns directly into not-reliable long-term return level estimates for extreme wave analysis, leading to a weak description of wave climate; conversely, a wave climate robust assessment is of primary importance for maritime design.

Wave hindcast resolution reliability for extreme analysis

Sartini, Ludovica;Besio, Giovanni;
2016-01-01

Abstract

Here we analyze the wave hindcast reliability for a proper description of wave climate in the Mediterranean Sea. To this aim, 6-hourly 35-years ECMWF (European Center Medium Weather Forecast) wave data at 0.7° resolution grid are compared with those provided by means of a meteocean modelling chain operative at DICCA, University of Genoa (http://www.dicca.unige.it/meteocean/) covering a 34-years temporal span at an hourly frequency on a 0.1° resolution domain. Results reveal not negligible differences in evaluating significant wave heights at peaks; in particular the tendency to underrate values in storm sea conditions performed by ECMWF dataset is here evidenced. This behavior turns directly into not-reliable long-term return level estimates for extreme wave analysis, leading to a weak description of wave climate; conversely, a wave climate robust assessment is of primary importance for maritime design.
2016
9781880653883
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/887564
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 7
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact