Assessment of the Wind and Wave Climate of the Hellenic Seas Using 10-Year Hindcast Results

ABSTRACT

In this work, the wind and wave climate of the Hellenic Seas, based on 10-year hindcast data, is described in detail. The wind and wave hindcast was carried out using an improved version of the SKIRON-Eta atmospheric model and the WAM-cycle 4 wave model with a high spatial resolution of 0.1ºx0.1º and a model time step of 3 hours, in order to resolve efficiently offshore wind and wave conditions. The results cover the period 1995-2004 and are presented in the form of charts of the spatial distribution of specific wind and wave parameters as well as frequency histograms, on a seasonal and annual basis. The hindcast data were calibrated by means of measured wind and wave data from the POSEIDON buoy network. Based on the calibrated hindcast results, a description of the main characteristics of the wind and wave climate of the Hellenic Seas is being attempted, while the corresponding dominant features are revealed and represented as precisely as possible.