Relation Between Atmospheric Circulation Patterns in the North Atlantic and the Sea States in the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

Abstract A statistical analysis of significant wave height (Hs) in eight locations offshore Portugal continental coast is performed. Specifically, locations at different water depths at Aguçadoura, Leixões, Nazaré, Peniche, Sines and Faro were chosen. The spectral and parametric information from these points used in this analysis was obtained from 21-year hindcast simulations using the spectral wave model SWAN. The modelling of the climatic variability of directional spectra provides reliable information of the most relevant parameters at these locations, i.e., how the spectral parameters and their probability of occurrence change in the regions studied. The occurrences of spectral classes are estimated, and for each class, the variability of the spectral parameters is described by means of joint distributions. The classification of the different sea states provides important information about the wave conditions present in the target areas. A relation between the sea states and the Lamb weather types (WTs), a methodology for classifying atmospheric circulation patterns, is presented in this study. The results of this study provide a description of the wave climate, through the interaction between the sea states and weather patterns, relating different circulation patterns to different sea states. This study provides useful information on the wave conditions that can be used in the design of ocean engineering structures, in the assessment of the operability and safety of shipping and renewable energy devices.