Modeling the Sea Level Response of the Northern East China Sea to Different Types of Extratropical Cyclones

Abstract

AbstractSea level response to extratropical cyclones, one of the most disastrous weather systems, varies depending on cyclone types and tracks. This study presents a systematic modeling assessment of storm surge induced by extratropical cyclones in the northern East China Sea using an ocean‐wave coupled model, based on the Coupled Ocean‐Atmosphere‐Wave‐Sediment Transport (COAWST) model system. We identified the type of extratropical cyclone most likely to cause disasters and the areas likely to suffer the worst effects. We conducted sensitivity experiments to analyze the driving mechanisms (such as wind, air pressure, tide, and wave) and influencing mechanisms (such as local and remote meteorological effect and Ekman effect) of storm surge. During strong winds, positive and negative storm surges were consistent with the wind direction, and formed source of coastal trapped waves. When an abnormally high water level occurred in a semi‐enclosed sea area, it propagated mainly along the cyclone direction. The energy of coastal trapped waves was easy to dissipate in case of caps and other locations with large topographic changes. Tide‐surge‐wave interaction and propagation were also greatly affected by coastal trapped waves.