Brahan Project High Frequency Radar Ocean Measurements: Currents, Winds, Waves and Their Interactions

Abstract

We describe radar measurements of waves, currents and winds made on the coast of northern Scotland during two 2013/14 winter storms, giving methods, results and interpretation. Wave parameters (height, period, direction and short-wave/wind direction) were derived and compared with measurements made by a neighboring buoy and local weather stations. Wind direction and current velocity maps were produced and the interactions of winds and currents discussed. Significant oscillations in wave parameters were observed, which appear to be due to forcing by tidal current velocity variations. The oscillations in waveheight are explained using hydrodynamic analysis and derived amplitudes are compared with radar measurements.

Keywords

• radar oceanography
• remote sensing
• current velocity
• wave and wind direction measurement
• hydrodynamic analysis