THE DAYTONA BEACH WAVE OF 3-4 JULY 1992 - A SHALLOW-WATER GRAVITY-WAVE FORCED BY A PROPAGATING SQUALL LINE

An unexpected run-up of the ocean along Daytona Beach, Florida, on 3-4 July 1992 was associated with at least one large ocean wave. The wave , which reached a height of about 3 m above normal tide, injured 75 pe ople and damaged property along Daytona Beach. Analyses of meteorologi cal and oceanographic observations are consistent with the hypothesis that a squall line generated a long water wave. The critical evidence is that the propagation speed of the squall line matched the shallow-w ater wave speed that prevailed along the direction of motion of the sq uall line. The squall line exerted force on the ocean for at least 3 h . The issues of recurrence and public safety are discussed.