Time clustering of wave storms in the Mediterranean Sea

In this contribution we identify storm time-clustering in the Mediterranean Sea through the analysis of the spatial distribution of the Allan Factor. This parameter is evaluated from long time series of wave height provided by means of oceanographic buoy measurements and hindcast re-analysis spanning in the period 1979–2014 and characterized by a horizontal resolution of about 0.1 degree in longitude and latitude and a temporal sampling of one hour (Mentaschi et a., 2015). Results reveal clustering mainly for two distinct ranges of time scales. The first range of time scales (12 hrs to 50 days) is associated to sequences of storms generated by the persistence of the same meteorological system. The second range, associated to timescales beteween 50 and 100 days, reveals seasonal fluctuations. Transitional regimes are present at some locations in the basin. The spatial distribution of the Allan Factor reveals that the clustering at smaller time scales is present in the North-West of the Mediterranean, while clustering at larger scales is observed in the whole basin. This analysis is believed to be important to assess the local increased flood and coastal erosion risks due to storm clustering.

BESIO Giovanni;  BRIGANTI Riccardo;  ROMANO Alessandro;  MENTASCHI Lorenzo;  DE GIROLAMO Paolo; 

2017-05-29

COPERNICUS GESELLSCHAFT MBH

JRC104600

1561-8633,   

http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/17/505/2017/nhess-17-505-2017.pdf,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC104600,   

10.5194/nhess-17-505-2017,