Abstract
The dataset consists of 39 years of directional wave time series recorded since 1979 at the CNR-ISMAR “Acqua Alta” oceanographic research tower, located in the Northern Adriatic Sea. The extent of the time series allows us to describe the wave climate in the North Adriatic region and to identify trends and links with large scale climate patterns obtained from a single and permanent observational source. The northern part of the Adriatic Sea is characterized by two main wind and correspondingly wave regimes, strongly forced by the regional orography. The high sensitivity of this particular area to even small variations of large scale meteorological patterns allows to explore possible links of the local wave, hence wind, activity with large-scale north hemisphere circulation or weather regimes. Different wave gauges have been used since the start of the measurements, progressively upgraded and repositioned during maintenance operations. The recorded wave data have been thoroughly verified and corrected where necessary.
Highlights
Background & SummaryThe Acqua Alta oceanographic tower is located in the Northern Adriatic Sea, in 16 meters of depth, 15 km off the coast of the Venice lagoon (Fig. 1, GPS coordinates 45° 18’ 51.288’’ N, 12° 30’ 29.694’’ E)
Similar datasets are rare, because in most of the times the aim of these measurements in the past did not envisage a long-term commitment. This makes the available dataset at the Acqua Alta oceanographic tower very useful and interesting
Issues related to lack of homogeneity in the recorded time series are discussed and the method leading to a consistent quality checked time series is explained
Summary
The Acqua Alta oceanographic tower is located in the Northern Adriatic Sea, in 16 meters of depth, 15 km off the coast of the Venice lagoon (Fig. 1, GPS coordinates 45° 18’ 51.288’’ N, 12° 30’ 29.694’’ E). Multi-decadal time series of wave data needed for climate studies are generally provided by long term model simulations (hindcasts) covering the area of interest. Similar datasets are rare, because in most of the times the aim of these measurements in the past did not envisage a long-term commitment This makes the available dataset at the Acqua Alta oceanographic tower very useful and interesting. Together with the devoted keen measurement campaigns[6,7] the long time series has allowed to delve further into the physics of the processes of interest This is especially true if considering that waves, as an integrated product of the local wind climate, can provide related compact and meaningful information on larger scale meteorological patterns
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