Climate patterns derived from ocean wave spectra

Portilla‐Yandún, Jesús; Salazar, Andrés A.; Cavaleri, Luigi

doi:10.1002/2016gl071419

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Note the thresholds used to define the partitions are subjective, despite being based on earlier studies (e.g., Adams et al, ; Munk & Traylor, ) and on the results discussed in sections 2.1–2.3. Similar methods of spectral partitioning have been recently implemented by Portilla‐Yandún et al ().…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Note the thresholds used to define the partitions are subjective, despite being based on earlier studies (e.g., Adams et al, 2008;Munk & Traylor, 1947) and on the results discussed in sections 2.1-2.3. Similar methods of spectral partitioning have been recently implemented by Portilla-Yand un et al (2016). Table 2 shows the period and direction thresholds that we used for separating the directional spectra into seven partitions.…”

Section: Directional Spectrum Partitionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of the Deep Water Surface Wave Variability in the California Current Region

et al. 2017

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Surface waves are crucial for the dynamics of the upper ocean not only because they mediate exchanges of momentum, heat, energy, and gases between the ocean and the atmosphere, but also because they determine the sea state. The surface wave field in a given region is set by the combination of local and remote forcing. The present work characterizes the seasonal variability of the deep water surface wave field in the California Current region, as retrieved from over two decades of satellite altimetry data combined with wave buoys and wave model hindcast (WaveWatch III). In particular, the extent to which the local wind modulates the variability of the significant wave height, peak period, and peak direction is assessed. During spring/summer, regional‐scale wind events of up to 10 m/s are the dominant forcing for waves off the California coast, leading to relatively short‐period waves (8–10 s) that come predominantly from the north‐northwest. The wave climatology throughout the California Current region shows average significant wave heights exceeding 2 m during most of the year, which may have implications for the planning and retrieval methods of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Directional Spectrum Partitionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the Deep Water Surface Wave Variability in the California Current Region

et al. 2017

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“…Since waves converge from different and remote locations of the planet, they convey information from a larger area into a single point of analysis. This helps in assessing the local climate and their interconnections (e.g., Portilla‐Yandún et al, ).…”

Section: Single Point Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even in simple basins including relatively small enclosed seas, complex wave conditions have been reported (e.g., Langodan et al, ). In the open oceans the presence of multiple swells and wind sea is the general rule (see, e.g., Portilla‐Yandún et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Global Signature of Ocean Wave Spectra

Portilla‐Yandún

2018

Geophysical Research Letters

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A global atlas of ocean wave spectra is developed and presented. The development is based on a new technique for deriving wave spectral statistics, which is applied to the extensive ERA‐Interim database from European Centre of Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts. Spectral statistics is based on the idea of long‐term wave systems, which are unique and distinct at every geographical point. The identification of those wave systems allows their separation from the overall spectrum using the partition technique. Their further characterization is made using standard integrated parameters, which turn out much more meaningful when applied to the individual components than to the total spectrum. The parameters developed include the density distribution of spectral partitions, which is the main descriptor; the identified wave systems; the individual distribution of the characteristic frequencies, directions, wave height, wave age, seasonal variability of wind and waves; return periods derived from extreme value analysis; and crossing‐sea probabilities. This information is made available in web format for public use at http://www.modemat.epn.edu.ec/#/nereo. It is found that wave spectral statistics offers the possibility to synthesize data while providing a direct and comprehensive view of the local and regional wave conditions.

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“…Moreover, no clear predominance of any of these modes throughout the year was observed, as all displayed a strong seasonal variability. Portilla‐Yandún et al (), using wave spectral data in the eastern equatorial Pacific, identified four distinctive wave systems. These studies illustrate the complexity that is often observed in the multimodal wave climate, which cannot be properly captured with integrated parameters alone.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Variability of the Global Spectral Wind Wave Climate

2019

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Our understanding of the seasonal variability in the global wind wave field is revisited here using a novel analysis that resolves the directional wave spectra. Empirical orthogonal function analysis was applied to modeled wave spectral data from a WAVEWATCH III hindcast across a sparse global grid to identify the main patterns of the climatological wave spectral variability at each grid point. Prior methods have focused on the variability of two modes of the wave field—locally generated sea and the primary swell component. Our results also consider additional wave modes at each location, enabling us to track the passage of the less dominant swell modes. Consistent with existing climatological knowledge, the main modes of wave spectral variability at high latitudes are related to eastward propagating waves that disperse equatorward as swell following great circle paths. However, despite being the less energetic mode, the Northern Hemisphere generated swell is found to propagate into the Southern Hemisphere further than the more energetic Southern Hemisphere swell which propagates northward. In the equatorial zone, a complex multimodal wave climate is found, with the spectra variability modulated by remotely generated swell and higher‐frequency waves associated with the prevailing winds. The evolution of these patterns throughout the year is clearly depicted. Overall, our approach captures a more complete picture of the seasonal variability of the global wave field, by accounting for all the wave modes observed in the spectra at each location together with their temporal variability.

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Climate patterns derived from ocean wave spectra

Cited by 18 publications

References 26 publications

Characterization of the Deep Water Surface Wave Variability in the California Current Region

Characterization of the Deep Water Surface Wave Variability in the California Current Region

The Global Signature of Ocean Wave Spectra

Seasonal Variability of the Global Spectral Wind Wave Climate

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