Linear trend of significant wave height in the East Sea inferred from wave hindcast

Abstract

We simulated in the East Sea SWH and wind speed during 40-year (1979~2018) by using SWAN wave model with ECMWF reanalysis wind data. In December, the maximum of SWH monthly mean was located in the southeastern part while those of wind speed was located in the eastern part, due to the fetch length is longer. Trends of the 99th percentile SWH in August increased in the western part in contrast with decreased in the southeastern part. The trends of 99th percentile wind speed also showed similar with 99th percentile SWH. In December, both monthly mean and 99th percentile of the SWH showed an increasing trend in the southeastern part. Additionally, trend of the 99th percentile was greater than those of monthly mean. Our results suggested that the regional trend difference of SWH is mainly due to fetch length and extreme atmosphere condition such as typhoon.