THE EFFECT OF FETCH ON THE DIRECTIONAL SPECTRUM OF CELTIC SEA STORM WAVES

This paper describes measurements of the directional spectrum of storm waves obtained using the PISCES high-frequency radar. The storm occur red during the Netherlands UK Radar Wavebuoy Experimental Comparison 2 experiment in March 1987. Wind direction changes from southerly to no rthwesterly over a period of five hours led to a rapid change in short -wave direction but did not lead to changes in the mean direction of t he long energetic wind waves. Wind waves generated in the changed wind direction are shown to be fetch limited, and the spectrum is shown to be dominated by long-fetch wind waves generated by the component of w ind blowing from the southwest.