This study shed light on the main sea-level characteristics of Abu-Qir Bay, which is one of the sensitive Egyptian coastal zones prone to sea-level variations and the sea-level rise problem. The present analysis was performed by the T_TIDE package for hourly sea-level records from January 2008 to December 2010. A simultaneous meteorological data set was obtained from the automated weather station at Alexandria International Airport. This comprised records of air temperature, atmospheric pressure and wind regime. Although few studies were previously conducted to examine the sea-level variations in Abu Qir Bay, this is the first to correlate these variations with the three main affecting meteorological conditions. Results revealed that the Bay had a mean sea level (MSL) of 50.1cm, which is relative to the tide gauge zero-level and exhibited a semidiurnal tidal cycle. The Bay exhibited a MSL seasonal behavior, with the lowest mean in spring (38.6cm) and the highest in autumn (58.7cm). 19 astronomical constituents were significant out of 69 with solar annual and semi-annual components having the highest amplitudes of 7.2 and 4.6cm, respectively. The M 2 principal lunar tidal constituent had an amplitude of only 1.5cm. The water levels had a spring-to-neap range ratio of 5. Residuals had the upper hand on the observed variations in the sea level of Abu-Qir Bay. Storm surges with elevations greater than 65cm contributed up to 7% of the observed sea level in the bay. Correlation coefficients between the sea level and the affecting meteorological conditions during the study period were calculated on both hourly and mean monthly basis. This revealed that air temperature is the key meteorological player in the observed variations and that the sea level is affected by the zonal wind component rather than the meridional one.

This work delivers comprehensive information on the statistical metrics of sea level in Port Said Harbor, which can be used for the mitigation plans and protection measures in its vicinity. The study used hourly sea level data extended over 10 years from January 2002 to December 2011. A comprehensive descriptive statistical analysis of sea level monthly variations was introduced. The T_Tide package was used to obtain the astronomical constituents, which are in turn used to calculate the form factor to specify the tidal cycle in the Harbor, and to obtain the main water level characteristics. The meteorological factor was calculated by subtracting the tidal elevation from the recorded sea level. The impact of the meteorological factors on the observed sea level fluctuations was more obvious in winter than in summer. The effect of the meteorological conditions on the observed possible largest sea level range was $${~}^{1}\!\left/ \!{~}_{3}\right.$$ 1 3 that of the tidal impact. No extreme sea level year, considered when the annual mean deviates from the regression line by more than twice the standard deviation, appeared during the decade of investigation. The return periods and the design lifetime risk were calculated. The highest probabilities of occurrence were concentrated in the levels between 70 and 80 cm, while the lowest were below 5 cm and above 110 cm. The return periods for all water levels ranged between 0.4 and 4.5 years. The coastal structures in the vicinity of the Harbor may have a short lifetime of only 50 years for its most pronounced level (75 cm). It is recommended to consider the present results upon designing mitigation plans and constructions within Port Said Harbor territory.

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