Category Archives: Storm Surge

High Waves Pound South Africa’s Coastline

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Fred Pickhardt

High waves of 7-9.5 meters (23 to 31 feet) crashed into parts of South Africa’s coastline over the weekend, generated by a 952 mb storm low to the south. Continue reading →

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Does global climate change have an influence on tropical cyclone activity?

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Fred Pickhardt

Does global climate change have an influence on tropical cyclone activity and can these influences be detected?  This question is important given the high risk to populations along coastal regions. This question was tackled in a recent assessment published in The Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society Continue reading →

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Tampa Bay Hurricane Storm Surge Scenarios

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Fred Pickhardt

While no storm scenario is a good one for the Tampa Bay area, the worst case is when the hurricane center is located north of the Tampa Bay entrance such that the maximum winds associated with the eye wall occur at the mouth of the bay with storms making landfall farther north result in lower surges. Continue reading →

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What is a Storm Surge?

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Fred Pickhardt

Storm Surge is the abnormal sea level elevations (or depressions) caused by winds and atmospheric pressure. The components are: 1. Coastal set up (down) by the along shore wind stress.  In deep water, the Earth’s rotation causes a water to … Continue reading →

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Hurricane Storm Surges in Tampa Bay

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Fred Pickhardt

The highest storm surges in Tampa Bay are usually associated with hurricanes, with the three highest tides occurring during Cat 3 storms in 1848, 1921 and 1985. Hurricane Elena in late August of 1985 caused the highest storm surge recorded … Continue reading →

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