On Surface Waves Generated by Extra-Tropical Cyclones—Part I: Multi-Satellite Measurements

Abstract

Surface waves generated by Extra-Tropical Cyclones (ETCs) can significantly affect shipping, fishing, offshore oil and gas production, and other marine activities. This paper presents the results of a satellite data-based investigation of wind waves generated by two North Atlantic ETCs. These ETCs were fast-moving systems, inhibiting resonance (synchronism) between the group velocity of the generated waves and the ETC translation velocity. In these cases, wave generation begins when the front boundary of the storm appears at a given ocean location point. Since developing waves are slow, they move backward relative to the storm, grow in time, and then leave the ETC stormy area through the rear sector. Multi-satellite observations confirm such a paradigm, revealing that the storm regions are filled with young developing wind waves, the most developed in the rear-right sector. As observed, the energy of these waves grew in time during the ETC life span. It is demonstrated that the extended-fetch concept (inherent for Tropical Cyclones) does not apply to ETC. Instead, by analogy, the concept of extended-duration wave growth is more relevant. Satellite observations confirmed the validity of duration-laws for waves generated by ETCs, and demonstrated that extended-fetch solutioncan be valid at time scales exceeding the lifespan of considered ETCs.

Keywords

• extreme waves
• extra-tropical cyclones
• altimeter and SWIM-CFOSAT
• ocean surface waves remote sensing
• Atlantic Ocean
• ocean surface waves monitoring and modeling