WAVE REGIMES AND ANOMALIES OFF NORTH-WESTERN SAAREMAA ISLAND

Abstract

Properties of the saturated wave field in the neighbourhood of possible sites of the Saaremaa deep harbour during typical (about 15 m/s) and extreme (about 25 m/s) storms, forced by steady winds, are analysed on the basis of the wave model WAM. The toughest wave regime is at Undva (Uudepanga Bay, probability of occurrence of waves exceeding 3 m is 1%), slightly better at Suuriku-Kuriku (0.6%) and the mildest at Vaigu (0.13%). Directional distribution of wave heights in typical and extreme storms is highly anisotropic. The highest waves correspond to NNW storms. Remarkable wave height anomalies may occur in the neighbourhood of the harbour sites. The anomalies emerge only during very strong storms and may serve as a major navigation danger.