Abstract
A bottom-mounted Recording Doppler Current Profiler was placed at an offshore location (depth of 34 m) in the southeast Chukchi Sea, Alaska, from July through December 2007 (UTC) with the objective of linking observed wave activity—wind-sea and swells—to their synoptic drivers. A total of 47 intervals of elevated wave state were recorded: 29 exceeding 1 m significant wave height (SWH), 16 exceeding 2 m SWH, and 3 m exceeded on two occasions; during one of those, a SWH of 4 m was observed. Detailed analysis of the two large events, including comparison with high-resolution reanalysis wind data (North America Regional Reanalysis), showed wave direction from the east, varied about 15° to the north (counterclockwise) from the wind direction, and current flow in the opposite direction (from the west). This is thought to be the influence of a strong “wind-sea” presence. Regarding classic wave limitations, although the SE Chukchi Sea is a large embayment bordered by land to the east, fetch limitations from the northeast and southeast did not appear to be a constraint for the wind speeds indicated by reanalysis. These two events appeared to be driven by winds associated with cyclonic systems that moved into the eastern Bering Sea and stalled. Examination of smaller waves associated with these events suggested that waves of 1.5 m SWH or less are likely part of another regime and can either be swell or wind-sea, moving in from the open Chukchi Sea to the northwest or through the Bering Strait to the south.
Highlights
Severe wind-generated sea states affect most users and inhabitants of coastal regions: shipping operations, coastal communities, engineering considerations, and planners
The SE Chukchi Sea is a large embayment bordered by land to the east, fetch limitations from the northeast and southeast did not appear to be a constraint for the wind speeds indicated by reanalysis
Using an observational wave data set from (RDCPs), this paper focuses on the occurrence of waves and their associated synoptic drivers in the SE Chukchi Sea
Summary
Severe wind-generated sea states affect most users and inhabitants of coastal regions: shipping operations, coastal communities, engineering considerations, and planners. Wave climatologies and their results impact engineers and planners who must design for the maximum anticipated loads on infrastructure; the highest magnitude impact on coastal infrastructure in terms of kinetic energy is often due to wave action In each of these cases, the limited knowledge of wave state and its atmospheric linkages in this region impedes arriving at a balance between cost-effectiveness and safety for coastal engineering structures. This area is presently experiencing increased activity associated with interest in oil development. A secondary storm pathway—‘‘northern’’ storms— runs roughly east to west across the north Russian/Alaska coast
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