Australian Government - Bureau of Meteorology Home | About Us | Contacts | Help | Feedback |

Global | Australia | NSW | Vic. | Qld | WA | SA | Tas. | ACT | NT | Ant. |

Weather & Warnings | Hydrology | Climate | Numerical Prediction | About Services | Learn About Meteorology | Registered User Services |

Extract from the weather journal

The restless sea

Order form: html format or pdf format

Waves can be described as either swell waves or sea waves. Sea waves are generally generated locally and move in the same direction as the wind. They have a more irregular appearance. Swell waves have been generated elsewhere, move out of their area, and travel in regular succession and in a well-defined direction. Waves travel in groups, or "sets". The higher waves occur near the centre of the group. To estimate wave height, average only the well-developed waves in the centre of the group. At least 15-20 waves should be noted.



© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2010, Bureau of Meteorology (ABN 92 637 533 532)
Please note the Copyright Notice and Disclaimer statements relating to the use of the information on this site and our site Privacy and Accessibility statements. Users of these web pages are deemed to have read and accepted the conditions described in the Copyright, Disclaimer, and Privacy statements. Please also note the Acknowledgement notice relating to the use of information on this site. No unsolicited commercial email.