Numerical study of the marine breeze around Mallorca Island

A study of marine breezes and their impact on the wave field around Mallorca Island was carried out by numerical simulations with the spectral wave model SWAN and three different wind fields: WRF – Weather Research and Forecasting model, HIRLAM – High Resolution Limited Area model and ECMWF – European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasts. The main characteristics of the modelled breeze circulation and its effects on the wave field are analyzed. The modified wave field under breeze conditions and the correlations with their variability and daily short life time period are studied and discussed by analyzing the spectral balance. The results show that the accuracy of a wave forecast will depend on the quality of the wind field and its ability to simulate the sea breeze induced waves. The study period covers the summers of 2009 and 2010. In addition, to assess the performance of SWAN forced with two different winds the numerically obtained significant wave heights (Hs) are collocated against the ENVISAT-ESA's Environmental Satellite measurements (GLOBWAVE data) of Hs around the Mallorca Island.

▸ Our contribution deals with the impact of the breezes on the accuracy of a wave forecast. ▸ We show that the impact of the breezes depends on the quality of the wind field around small islands. ▸ The implications of the correct (and poor) representation of the breezes on the wave spectral balance are discussed.