Extreme High Swell Events on the Moroccan Atlantic Coast

4.0 Case Study 1 » 4.3 Step 2: Compare the Marine Model Analyses with the Observations » 4.3.3 ECMWF MSLP and Surface Wind

The overlays of ECMWF MSLP and surface winds for 6 January at 0000 and 0600 UTC show that the maximum wind speed zone of 40 to 50kt matches the areas with the high gradient isobars.

Behind the depression, a ridge has extended to the north from the high pressure system. We see a long fetch of northwest wind of about 40kt southwest of the low pressure system. These strong winds enhance the oceans waves and push them directly to the Moroccan Atlantic coast.

Question

On the image, use the pen to draw the direction of the fetch that’s related to the northwesterly winds blowing southwest of the low. Then click Done.

Tool: Tool Size: Color:

The fetch direction is drawn on the image.