Wave-Tide Interaction for a Strongly Modulated Wave Field

Observations from Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) moored buoys off the coast of Florida reveal tidally driven wave-current interactions that modify significant wave heights by up to 25% and shift peak periods by up to a second. A case study at Fernandina Beach, Florida, shows surface waves steepening on following tidal currents and becoming less steep on opposing tidal currents, with the largest modulations occurring in the long-period swell band. To better understand tidal modulations as a function of the phase of the tide, we use simplified analytical and numerical solutions to the equations of geometrical optics and conservation of wave action under the assumption of a one-dimensional tide acting as a progressive shallow-water wave. The theoretical frameworks allow us to identify parameters that characterize the magnitude of variation in surface waves due to tidally induced currents and changes in water depth. We compute modulations to the omnidirectional and directional wave spectrum (between 0.05 and 0.15 Hz), as well as characteristic bulk parameters such as significant wave height and peak period. The theory is corroborated using directional wave and surface current observations from the Fernandina Beach CDIP station (located in water of average depth of 16 m). We find that the numerical results reproduce the observed wave modulations due to tidal currents and changes in water depth. Specifically, surface waves traveling in the direction of the tide are strongly modulated, and the relative speeds between the tide and surface waves set the sign and magnitude of these modulations. Given knowledge of tidal currents, water-depth variations, and wave climatology, theoretical and numerical predictions may be used to provide both statistical and instantaneous estimates of wave-height variations due to tides. Because operational forecasts and nowcasts do not routinely include tides or currents, these findings can help to accurately represent nearshore surface wave variability.

Automated summary

Observations from CDIP moored buoys off the coast of Florida show that tidal currents can modify wave heights by up to 25% and shift peak periods by up to a second. A case study at Fernandina Beach reveals that surface waves become steeper on following tidal currents and less steep on opposing tidal currents, with the largest modulations in the long-period swell band. Theoretical and numerical simulations confirm these findings and suggest that knowledge of tidal currents and water-depth variations can accurately predict wave-height variations. Rating: 8/10.