Extreme High Swell Events on the Moroccan Atlantic Coast

5.0 Case Study 2 » 5.3 Evolution of Wave Characteristics Near Casablanca

The graph below shows the evolution of wave characteristics for a point near Casablanca. The barbs indicate the wind direction and speed; the arrows indicate the direction of propagation; and the curve shows the evolution of significant wave height.

Notice the gradual increase of significant wave height from 4.5 m in the beginning (17 January at 0000 UTC) to almost 7 m on 18 January at 0600 UTC.

graph showing evolution of wave characteristics near Casablanca, 17 Jan 0000 UTC