IUGG 2003 Abstract

JSP08 Coastal Processes and Storm Surges (IAPSO, IAMAS, LOICZ[IGBP])  Wednesday, July 9 PM Location: Site B, Room 19 Presiding Chair:T. Yanagi

TIME [ 1740 ] [ JSP08/09P/B19-010 ]

EFFECTS OF WINDS, TIDES, AND STORM SURGES ON OCEAN SURFACE WAVES IN THE JAPAN/EAST SEA

Wei ZHAO(Division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA)

Shuyi S. CHEN(Division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA) Cheryl Ann BLAIN ( Oceanography Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS, USA ) Jiwei TIAN ( Laboratory of Physical Oceanography, The Ocean University of China, Qingdao, P. R. China )

Ocean surface waves are strongly forced by high wind conditions associated with winter storms the Japan/East Sea (JES). They are also modulated by tides and storm surges, especially near the coasts. The effects of the variability in surface wind forcing, tides, and storm surges on the waves are investigated using a wave model, a high-resolution atmospheric mesoscale model, and a hydrodynamic ocean circulation model. We conduct three month-long wave model simulations to examine the sensitivity of ocean waves to various wind forcing fields, tides, and storm surges during January 1997. Comparing with observed mean wave parameters (i.e., significant wave heights and wave periods), our results indicate that the variation in the wave fields is mainly caused by the variability of wind forcing. Tides and storm surges seem to have a significant impact on the waves near shores when mean water depth decreases sharply from a few hundreds of meters to less than 10 m along the west coast of Japan. Improving surface wind forecasts will be crucial for the prediction of surface waves and storm surges in JES, especially near the coastal regions.