Global Trends in Extreme Wind Speed and Wave Height

Abstract

Satellite observations of the ocean surface provide a powerful method for acquiring global data on wind speed and wave height. Radar altimeters have now been in operation for more than 25 years, providing a reasonably long term data set with global coverage. This paper presents data from a fully calibrated and validated altimeter dataset. The dataset provides the basis for obtaining a global perspective of a number of parameters critical to ocean engineering design, ship operations and global climate change. Analysis of the data provides ocean climatology of mean monthly values of wind speed and wave height useful for ship operations. The data set is also sufficiently long to provide extreme value (i.e. 100-year return period) estimates of wind speed and wave height. The paper presents such values and describes the approaches most appropriate to obtain statistically significant extreme value estimates from such satellite data. With a data set of this length, it is possible to investigate whether there have been statistically significant changes in the wind and wave climates over the period. Careful trend analysis of the extensive data set shows that there has been a statistically significant increasing trend in mean wind speed over the period. The corresponding increase in wave height is less clear. There is also evidence to suggest that extreme wind speeds and wave heights are increasing and the data set is analysed to investigate these trends. The paper clearly shows the value of this dataset and its application to a range of engineering problems.

Elevated Temperature Affects Phenotypic Plasticity in the Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana, Phaeophyceae)

“…Tension-regulated plasticity likely allows some kelp species to thrive in a wide range of hydrodynamic conditions. Furthermore, as wave energy increases due to oceanic warming (Young et al 2013, Reguero et al 2019, plasticity may shield kelp populations from the subsequent hydrodynamic effects. However, it remains unknown if thermal stress may affect this critical ability to modify morphology, which may result in negative interactions between elevated temperatures and intensified hydrodynamic environments as ocean conditions change.…”

“…Should thermal stress inhibit the vital ability to develop flow-appropriate morphologies, elevated temperatures could drive kelp declines even at sublethal levels of warming by reducing resource acquisition efficiency or increasing exposure to hydrodynamic forces. This impact of climate change may be particularly pronounced for kelps growing in more exposed environments, where being incapable of minimizing hydrodynamic stress could act synergistically with thermal weakening of tissues (Simonson et al 2015) and increased wave energy (Young et al 2013, Reguero et al 2019).…”

Assessment of Inhalable Particulate Matter Associated with a Refinery in Curaçao

“…Daily temperature, humidity, precipitation and wind speeds were analyzed for trends and correlations with PM 10 concentrations (Figure 8 [44]. There was a weak to moderately strong correlation between PM 10 concentrations and wind speed (Figure 9).…”

Observation-Based Dissipation and Input Terms for Spectral Wave Models, with End-User Testing

“…Babanin (2013) suggested a new approach to the research of extreme and rogue waves, and Ribal et al (2013) investigated the extreme and rogue wave issue by means of the Alber equation. Young et al (2013b) quantified trends for 100-year return winds and waves, and Zieger et al (2013) studied regional trends for surface winds in particular months. , in water (w) and air (a).…”