Storm Energy Flux Characterization along the Mediterranean Coast of Andalusia (Spain)

Abstract

This paper investigates wave climate and storm characteristics along the Mediterranean coast of Andalusia, for the period 1979-2014, by means of the analysis of wave data on four prediction points obtained from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Normally, to characterize storms, researchers use the so-called "power index". In this paper, a different approach was adopted based on the assessment of the wave energy flux of each storm, using a robust definition of sea storm. During the investigated period, a total of 2961 storm events were recorded. They were classified by means of their associated energy flux into five classes, from low-(Class I) to high-energetic (Class V). Each point showed a different behavior in terms of energy, number, and duration of storms. Nine stormy years, i.e., years with a high cumulative energy, were recorded in Orford and Carter [17] used the role of storm surge to develop a new storm index. Kriebel et al. [18] proposed a nor'easter risk index by combining the effects of storm surge, wave, and duration and Zhang et al. [19] developed a storm erosion potential index by combining the effect of storm tide, wave energy, and duration. This paper analyzes a 35-year wave climate dataset obtained from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) for four available prediction points equally spaced along the Mediterranean coast of Andalusia (south of Spain). This allowed the definition and assessment of storm characteristics and their spatial and temporal distribution along the investigated area. To characterize the storms, a new approach was adopted, assessing the real wave energy flux of each storm, using a robust definition of the storm itself. During the investigated period, a total of 2961 storm events were recorded. These were classified according to five classes of storms, from low (Class I) to high-energetic (Class V). Results obtained are useful to understand potential impacts of both single and grouped storms, and hence put in place the appropriate prevention and mitigation strategies.

The Mediterranean Coast of Andalusia (Spain): Medium-Term Evolution and Impacts of Coastal Structures

“…Concerning the main transport directions observed in this paper (Figure 2), they reflected wave roses ( Figure 1) and storms approaching directions presented by Molina et al [42]. The drift-aligned, easternmost part of the investigated littoral is sheltered, because of its geographic location, to the Atlantic swell waves and exposed to east approaching fronts forming an angle of ca.…”

“…The coast is a micro-tidal semidiurnal environment (tidal range < 20 cm) [41] exposed to winds blowing from SE to SW with minimum and maximum velocities ranging from 0.4 to 9.0 m/s. The wave climate and storm energy, along the Andalusian coast is very variable [42]. The coasts close to Gibraltar Strait are mainly affected by eastern storms, whereas the central coasts (Málaga and Almería areas) are exposed both to western and eastern storms.…”

“…The coasts close to Gibraltar Strait are mainly affected by eastern storms, whereas the central coasts (Málaga and Almería areas) are exposed both to western and eastern storms. Finally, the easternmost portion of the Andalusian coast ( Figure 1) is NNE-SSW oriented and primarily exposed to eastern storms [42].…”

“…At the central part of the studied coast (Points 2 and 3, Figure 1), which is drift-aligned, wind and waves approached from W, E and E-NE directions, the W component prevailing due to the increase of the western geographic fetch. Hence, offshore wave fronts are broadly normal to the coast and the most energetic events approached from these directions too [42].…”

A Methodological Approach to Determine Sound Response Modalities to Coastal Erosion Processes in Mediterranean Andalusia (Spain)

“…The coastal area is a micro-tidal semidiurnal environment (tidal range < 20 cm) [33] exposed to winds blowing from SE to SW with minimum and maximum velocities ranging from 0.4 to 9.0 m/s. The Gibraltar Strait area is affected by eastern storms, whereas the Málaga and Almeria areas are exposed both to western and eastern storms [40]. The predominance of wave climate shows a seasonal trend with storm events essentially recorded during November-March, that is, the winter season [40,41].…”