Empirical formulas for estimating maximum wave height and period in numerical wave hindcasting model

Abstract

This paper presents empirical formulas for calculating the maximum wave height and period in a numerical wave hindcasting model in terms of significant wave height, mean wave period, and peakedness parameter. The formulas are developed by applying the least-square method to the wave data measured at KOGA-E1 and KOGA-S2, which are located in the Japan/East Sea and on the southeast coast of the Korean Peninsula, respectively. The developed formulas are validated by comparing with the wave measurements around the Korean Peninsula. The formulas are shown to concur well with the measurements even in the Yellow Sea where the tide is very strong. To examine the applicability of the formulas in a wave hindcasting model, numerical simulation has been performed for wind wave generation around the Korean Peninsula. The maximum wave height and period have been calculated using the wave parameters computed in the numerical simulation. The calculated maximum wave height and period are then compared with the measurements to show that the developed formulas can be used for long-term prediction of the maximum wave height and period in a numerical wave hindcasting model. This comparison shows that the predicted maximum wave height and period agree well with the measured ones.