OBSERVATIONS OF THE SPECTRA OF HURRICANE GENERATED WAVES

An extensive database of one-dimensional spectra observed during the p assage of hurricanes is examined. Spectra recorded within eight times the radius to maximum winds of the centers of hurricanes are unimodal and remarkably similar to previously recorded fetch limited spectra. P arametric spectral forms such as JONSWAP and that of Donelan et al. ap proximate the data well. In addition, the functional dependence of the spectral parameters alpha and gamma on the inverse wave age is consis tent with that observed under fetch limited conditions. It is conclude d that the similarity of the hurricane wave spectra to those observed for simpler fetch limited spectra is largely due to the effects of non linear interactions. The shape stabilizing effects of the nonlinear in teractions reshape spectra consisting of a mix of swell and wind-sea t o conform with typical one-dimensional fetch limited wind-sea forms. ( C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.