Distribution of average extreme wave parameters in the North Atlantic from numerical simulations

Abstract

This study is focused on the North Atlantic Ocean where the maritime activity is intense and accidents have occurred due to dangerous sea state conditions, including the occurrence of abnormal waves. The study is based on a 7-year period of numerical simulations performed with a 3rd generation wave model aiming to shed light on the spatial distribution of the extreme wave parameters, as indicators of a high probability of occurrence of abnormal waves. Monthly spatial distributions of the most important averaged wave parameters are discussed and analyzed. From the hindcast it is observed that the maxima of the significant wave height are related with the well-known North Atlantic storm track region, where extratropical cyclones occur more often, namely in the Newfoundland – Greenland – Iceland corridor. The highest Benjamin-Feir Index values are found in the western side of the North Atlantic in the Canadian and American continental shelfs. In addition, it is observed that the peak period often experiences a reduction in the 12 h period before the occurrence of a Benjamin-Feir Index peak. This relationship is important as it could very well constitute a warning indicator for the occurrence of extreme sea states.