Characteristics of High Swell-like Waves on East Coast of Korea Observed by Direct Measurements and Reanalysis Data Sets

Abstract

Characteristics of high swell-like waves occurred at the east coast of Korea were analyzed using the wave observation data, high-resolution atmospheric dynamical downscaling of ERA-Interim using weather research and forecasting (WRF) model, and wave reanalysis using the SWAN model. The favorable synoptic conditions are classified into three types: the west high east low (WHEL), extratropical cyclone (EC), and tropical cyclone (TC). From 1979 to 2018, the WHEL, EC, and TC types accounted for 66%, 15%, and 18%, respectively, of the total synoptic patterns causing the swell-like wave. Most swell-like waves have a common feature in the generation of strong northwest winds due to a strong pressure gradient from the low pressure system over the East Sea.