Effect of the passage of cyclone Andrea on the sea level in France (5-6/01/2012)
Effect of the passage of cyclone Andrea on the sea level in France (5-6/01/2012)
On Thursday 5 and Friday 6 January 2012, cyclone Andrea caused strong gusts of wind over several coastal regions of France, passing southwards from the North of France. Through Thursday night and on until late Friday morning, the storm could be felt as far away as Corsica (source Météo-France).
The tide gauge observatories of the RONIM network recorded significant differences between the observed and predicted sea levels, i.e. positive surges. For the two days in question, the tidal coefficients were low, around 44 on 5 January and 53 on the 6th
During storms, the characteristic values of positive surges are determined at the times of high and low water. In the table below, the time and the maximum value of positive surges are indicated for guidance purposes.
Port | Screen snapshots (observations and predictions | Screen snapshots (positive / negative surges) | Characteristics | Informations source Météo France |
North Sea and English Channel | ||||
Dunkirk | | | During the 2 HW on the 5th, positive surges of around 1m were observed. During the LW at 1545, a positive surge of around 1.5m was observed. It was during the flow at 1720 that the maximum positive surge of around 2m was observed. | At midday on the 5th, gusts of wind frequently topped 100 kpm North of the Seine |
Calais | | | During the 2 HW on the 5th, positive surges of around 0.5m and 1m respectively were observed. During the LW at 1540, a positive surge of around 1.3m was observed. It was during the flow at 1720 that the maximum positive surge of around 1.5m was observed. | |
Boulogne-sur-mer | | |
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Dieppe | | |
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Cherbourg | | |
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Mediterranean | ||||
Nice | | | Cyclone Andrea does not appear to have affected the sea level at Nice. A positive surge and a maximum negative surge of around 10cm were observed. | Speeds exceeding 100 kph in Corsica |
Aspretto | | | Cyclone Andrea does not appear to have affected the sea level at Ajaccio-Aspretto. A maximum negative surge of around 20cm was observed. | |
Centuri | | | A maximum positive surge of around 70cm was observed at Centuri during the ebb at around 2100. | |
Solenzara (observations et calcul des surcotes / décotes : pas de temps = 1minute) | | | A maximum positive surge period at around 2000 of around 30cm was observed at Solenzara. |