Extreme High Swell Events on the Moroccan Atlantic Coast

4.0 Case Study 1 » 4.2 Step 1: Assess the Current Atmospheric and Marine Situation » 4.2.6 Observations Off the Moroccan Coast, 1

Now we’ll look at ship and buoy observations taken off the Moroccan coast.

Ship and Buoy Observations on 6 Jan 2014 at 1200 UTC off the Moroccan coast with a box marking observations near the coast for an exercise

Question 1 of 2

What is the maximum significant wave height and highest period reported by ships and buoys off the Moroccan Atlantic coastal areas on 6 January at 1200 UTC?

The ship circled in red reports a significant wave height of about 4.5 m and a period of 18 s. This period value is not usually observed off the Moroccan coast. At the same time, far to the south, two ships observe a significant height of 3 m and 3.5 m.

Ship and Buoy Observations on 6 Jan 2014 at 1200 UTC off the Moroccan coast with obs off of Spain marked for an exercise
Please make a selection.

Question 2 of 2

In this situation, should forecasters take action?

Since this swell height exceeds 4 m, it's above the threshold for issuing a warning. On the Atlantic coast, the warning threshold is a wave height greater than or equal to 4 m, while in the Mediterranean, it is 3 m.

Please make a selection.