2026-04-19T19:15:32Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:2117/3558862026-01-30T09:03:19Zcom_2072_1033col_2072_452950

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Pérez Gómez, Begoña author García León, Manuel author García-Valdecasas, Javier author Clementi, Emanuela author Mösso Aranda, César author Pérez Rubio, Susana author Masina, Simona author Coppini, Giovanni author Molina Sánchez, Rafael author Muñoz Cubillo, Ángel author García Fletcher, Ana author Sánchez González, José Francisco author Sánchez-Arcilla Conejo, Agustín author Álvarez Fanjul, Enrique author 2021-06-08 In January 2020, the storm Gloria hit the Western Mediterranean Sea causing severe coastal damages, destruction of infrastructures, flooding and several casualties. This extreme event was characterized by strong Eastern winds, record-breaking waves heights and periods, and a storm surge that locally beat the record along Valencia’s coastline. This paper analyses the dynamic evolution of sea level during this storm. The study employs both the in situ data and the operational forecasts of the PORTUS early warning system. Tide gauge data are analyzed on the different temporal scales that contribute to total sea level: long-term and seasonal, tides and storm surges, and higher frequency oscillations. It was found that, due to the unusual long wave periods, infragravity waves were generated and dominate the high frequency energy band, contributing significantly to extreme sea level records. This is a relevant finding, since this kind of oscillations are usually associated with larger basins, where swell can develop and propagate. The impact of sea level rise is also analyzed and considered relevant. A multi-model ensemble storm surge forecasting system is employed to study the event. The system was able to correctly forecast the surge, and the measured data were always inside the confidence bands of the system. The differences of the results obtained by the available operational forecasting system integrated into the ensemble, including those from Copernicus Marine Service, are described. All the models provided useful forecasts during the event, but differences with measured data are described and connected with the known limitations in physics (for example, barotropic vs. baroclinic) and set-up of the models (model domain, lack of tides and different inverse barometer implementations at the open boundaries amongst others). This contribution has been possible thanks to the products provided by the Puertos del Estado PORTUS operational system and E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information, more specifically, the NRT forecast products for the Mediterranean basin and the IBI area. In situ data from PdE tide gauges and buoys networks, also available through the CMEMS In Situ TAC, have been used. This contribution has been possible thanks to the products provided by the Puertos del Estado PORTUS operational system and E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information, more specifically, the NRT forecast products for the Mediterranean basin and the IBI area. In situ data from PdE tide gauges and buoys networks, also available through the CMEMS In Situ TAC, have been used. Peer Reviewed Postprint (published version) Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria civil::Enginyeria hidràulica, marítima i sanitària::Ports i costes Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria agroalimentària::Ciències de la terra i de la vida::Climatologia i meteorologia Sea level--Mediterranean Sea Storm Gloria Sea level processes Tide gauges Multi-model forecast Storm surge Infragravity waves Coastal impact Nivell del mar -- Mediterrània occidental Understanding sea level processes during Western Mediterranean storm Gloria