Verification of Fleet Numerical Weather Central wave analyses.

Abstract

Fleet Numerical Weather Central (FNWC) wave period and height analyses for a selected grid point were verified by comparison with wave conditions recorded by a coastal wave sensor at San Clemente Island, California. Forty-six per cent of the FNWC wave heights were within ±1 foot of the recorded heights, 75% were within ±2 feet, and 92% were within ±4 feet. The FNWC heights were found to be over-predicted by 1.0 feet relative to the recorded waves. Twenty- six per cent of the FNWC periods were within ±1 second of the recorded periods, 45% were within ±2 seconds, 66% were within ±4 seconds, and 90% were within ±6 seconds. There was no tendency for FNWC to over or underpredict swell periods, but wind -wave periods were underpredicted on the average by five seconds.