Characteristics of storm surges in German estuaries

Abstract

Storms over the North Sea can cause storm surges in the German Bight that reach into the Ems, Jade-Weser and Elbe estuaries. The effect in each estuary can vary due to the different hydrographical structure, bathymetry, location in the German Bight, exposure to wind direction and fresh-water discharge. A coupled meteorological and hydrodynamical numerical model was used to investigate the relative importance of these effects. With this model the impact of variations in wind speed and direction, in topography, or in fresh-water discharge can be investigated separately or in combination for historical or artificial storm surges. A better insight into the storm surge 'sensitivity' of the individual estuaries is obtained.