Sea storms hindcast around Calabrian coasts: Seven cases study

Abstract

The impact of wind field enhanced horizontal resolution on seven sea storms hindcast occurred around Calabrian coasts, the southernmost tip of Italian peninsula, is investigated. Cases studies are simulated by WAM (WAve Model), a third-generation state-of-the-art wave model. In order to study the effects produced on wave hindcast by surface wind enhanced horizontal resolution, two simulations sets are discussed. The first set uses ECMWF (European Centre for Medium Weather range Forecast) surface wind fields analysis to force WAM model; a second simulations set is produced by forcing WAM model with RAMS (Regional Atmospheric Modeling System) surface wind fields. RAMS simulations use ECMWF analysis as initial and dynamic boundary conditions. Performances are evaluated comparing WAM-modelled wave heights and directions with data at Cetraro and Crotone Wave measuring Buoys (WBs). While wave directions are well reproduced by both simulations sets, i.e. using ECMWF or RAMS wind fields to force WAM, differences arise for wave heights. Results show better performances of WAM model when RAMS surface wind field is used. However for two events results are still unsatisfactory using RAMS-modelled wind fields. A possible explanation is given.