Surface Currents and Significant Wave Height Gradients: Matching Numerical Models and High‐Resolution Altimeter Wave Heights in the Agulhas Current Region

Overview

During my Ph.D., I worked with Professor Fabrice Ardhuin on examining the influence of surface currents on significant wave height. I conducted simulations with spectral wave models, followed by comparisons between model outputs and altimeter observations. Prior to comparison, I applied denoising techniques using the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) method here. The primary objective of this research was to elucidate the connections between the magnitude of surface current gradients and significant wave height gradients, and to ascertain if we could accurately replicate the observed significant wave height gradients obtained from altimeter data.

Figure: Significant wave height gradients in the Agulhas current simulated with spectral wave model and observed with altimeter. The gradients have been reprojected on a regular 1/8deg x 1/8deg map. The effective resolution of the current forcing used in the model are provided on the label of each figures.

Recommended citation: Marechal, G. and Ardhuin, F., 2021. Surface Currents and Significant Wave Height Gradients: Matching Numerical Models and High‐Resolution Altimeter Wave Heights in the Agulhas Current Region. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 126(2), p.e2020JC016564.
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