STWAVE simulation of Hurricane Ike: Model results and comparison to data

Hurricane Ike (2008), with its associated storm surge, caused extensive damage across parts of the northwestern Gulf Coast when it made landfall in the late hours of September 12, 2008 along the upper Texas coast at the upper end of Category 2 intensity. An extensive instrumentation effort allowed the collection of both nearshore and inland wave and water level data as Hurricane Ike passed the Louisiana coast and made landfall in Texas. This article presents the results of a validation effort for the STWAVE model and the bottom friction coefficients applied in the model with comparisons to the Hurricane Ike measured wave data. Examination of STWAVE model results as contour plots and time series of wave height and period; wave spectra at selected time steps and scatter plots of simulated versus modeled wave results allow evaluation of the model performance. STWAVE model results indicate good agreement with the measured nearshore wave data for an open water Manning ‘n’ bottom friction coefficient equal to 0.03 s/m0.33. STWAVE model results indicate good agreement with the measured inshore wave data with Manning ‘n’ bottom friction coefficients equal to values derived from land classification data and applied in the ADCIRC model.

► We compare STWAVE and WAM spectral wave model results to measured data.
► Wave data collected during Hurricane Ike (2008) provides a unique data source.
► Offshore, nearshore, and inland wave model results compare well with measured data.
► An increased bottom friction coefficient in the nearshore improves STWAVE results.