Prediction of Wave Characteristics Over the North Atlantic

Extract

This paper develops a method for the prediction of wave height, period and direction on a 200-mile grid over the North Atlantic Ocean, using a wave spectrum technique. The method could be useful in conjunction with optimum ship routing across the ocean.

AS discussed recently by Hanssen and James, ship routing across the ocean, using the optimum route with respect to weather conditions, is now becoming a practical possibility. One essential requirement is to predict the wave heights and lengths over all parts of the area concerned. This would require first, of course, a forecast of the wind conditions. At present the Meteorological Office issues prognostic weather charts 24 hours ahead and wave predictions must be tied to them. Wave conditions are not determined instantaneously by the weather conditions at a given time, but tend to be an integration of the weather conditions over two, three, or even more days before and so wave predictions 24 hours ahead are likely to be more accurate than the wind forecasts.