Shallow water wave measurements in the hurricane enviroment

The wave coupling is a critical component of the coupled hurricane models to provide improved atmospheric-ocean boundary layer momentum fluxes for improved hurricane intensity and structure evolution, in addition to providing improved wave prediction for coastal inundation. This talk presents wave measurements by Acoustic Wave and Current meter (AWAC) platforms deployed offshore of Mobile Bay, Alabama during the path of Hurricanes Gustav (2008) and IKE (2008). Significant wave height and water temperature data during the hurricane passage are presented. Surface wave spectra are also analyzed to investigate the scales and energetics of shallow water waves in response to the hurricane forcing. Some implications of the results are discussed.