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Halina Kowalewska-Kalkowska

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Extreme Water Level Fluctuations along the Polish Coast

Bernard Wiśniewski, Tomasz Wolski, Halina Kowalewska-Kalkowska, Jerzy Cyberski

Geographia Polonica (2009) vol. 82, iss. 1, pp. 99-107 | Full text

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Abstract

The paper examines annual extreme sea levels along the Polish Baltic coast. The analysisis based on water level data sets collected at gauging stations in Świnoujście, Kołobrzeg, Ustka, andGdańsk in the years 1946-2001. The article also draws upon historical data. The results of the studyshow that differences between the maximum and minimum levels have increased, particularly duringthe last 50 years. Sea level amplitudes tend to be wider in the western part of the Baltic coast than in theeastern part. Extreme sea levels occur in the autumn and winter months.

Keywords: southern Baltic, extreme sea levels, storm surges, storm falls

Bernard Wiśniewski, Maritime University of Szczecin, Wały Chrobrego 1, 70-500 Szczecin, Poland
Tomasz Wolski, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
Halina Kowalewska-Kalkowska, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
Jerzy Cyberski, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland

Application of Hydrodynamic Model of the Baltic Sea to Storm Surge Representation along the Polish Baltic Coast

Halina Kowalewska-Kalkowska, Marek Kowalewski, Bernard Wiśniewski

Geographia Polonica (2007) vol. 80, iss. 2, pp. 181-190 | Full text

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Abstract

A hydrodynamic model of the Baltic Sea based on the Princeton Ocean Model was appliedin analyses of extreme storm surges along the Polish Baltic coast. When the applicability ofthe model in cases of high-amplitude and rapid water level fluctuations, such as those observedat the beginning of November 2006, was tested a good fit was obtained between observed andcomputed data. The model correctly predicted the hydrodynamic situation; it also generatedrelatively good simulations of water-level variations. The best fit between the numerical calculationsand readings from the sea-level gauges was obtained for Gdańsk Nowy Port, while onlyslightly worse agreement characterized Świnoujscie and Ustka.

Keywords: numerical modelling, storm surges, low-pressure systems, southern Baltic Sea

Halina Kowalewska-Kalkowska, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland
Marek Kowalewski, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Al. Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
Bernard Wiśniewski, Maritime University of Szczecin, Wały Chrobrego 1, 70-500 Szczecin, Poland