Trends of wave height and period in the Central Arabian Sea from 1996 to 2012: A study based on satellite altimeter data

Abstract

The variability of annual maximum and annual mean significant wave height (SWH) and wave period in the Central Arabian Sea is studied using satellite altimeter data from 1996 to 2012 at a deep water (water depth~3500m) buoy location (15.5°N, 69.28°E). Altimeter wave heights are validated with in-situ measurements and are intercompared. Extreme tropical storm/cyclone events that affect the wave conditions are studied using Joint Typhoon Warning Centre best-track data. The study shows a positive trend of 0.63cmyr−1 in the annual mean SWH. In contrast, a negative trend of 2.66cmyr−1 is found for the annual maximum SWH due to the decreasing trend of extreme tropical cyclone events. The annual mean and maximum wave period shows a decrease of 0.005syr−1 and 0.011syr−1, respectively.