STORMS CAUSING HARBOR AND SHORELINE DAMAGE THROUGH WIND AND WAVES NEAR MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Abstract
In order to gain information about these storms that might lead to forecasting techniques, a complete list of such storms for the 50-year period from 1910 to 1960 was made through a search of local newspaper files. The most significant storms, their frequency of occurrence, the synoptic situations with which they were associated, and the hindcasted sea condition that accompanied them are described. Two general types of damaging storms were found to exist: one occurring offshore in the open ocean and causing shoreline erosion and flooding by the action of sea and swell; the other, a local windstorm sweeping across Monterey Bay and causing damage to vessels in the harbor mainly by the combined effects of strong gusty winds and short-period seas generated in the bay. Wave hindcasts were made to facilitate comparisons of storm intensities within each of the two types of storms. These comparisons, in terms of the intensity of wave conditions, were made using a quantity called Damage Potential, a function of the size and duration of the storm waves. Synoptic situations with which these storms were associated were classified by a weather- typing system. All storms were found to be associated with one of three principal types. The possibility of an objective-type forecasting technique for the windstorms is discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0619505
Entities
People
- Harry L. Bixby Jr.
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School