Effects of Pacific Northwest Winter Storms on Nearshore Processes in Puget Sound
Presentation Abstract
Unlike the Gulf of Mexico and mid-Atlantic coasts that are at the risk of storm surges induced by tropical cyclones and hurricanes, the Pacific Northwest coasts are subject to the threat of severe winter storms that cause heavy snowfall and rainfall, high wind and coastal storm surge. Sea-level rise as a result of climate change and extreme high tide can exacerbate the level of impacts of storm surge induced by winter storms in the Pacific Northwest coastal region, especially in the nearshore intertidal areas. This paper presents a modeling study of storm surge induced by winter storms and the impacts of coastal inundation on nearshore processes in the shallow estuaries and bays in Puget Sound using a coastal ocean model of Salish Sea and meteorological forcing from NOAA NCEP operational products. Storm surges in Puget Sound are simulated for selected winter storms and compared to NOAA real-time tide gages. Combined effects of future sea-level rise and storm surge on the nearshore hydrodynamics are also investigated with sensitivity modeling analysis.
Session Title
Session S-05H: Planning for Coastal Hazards, Climate Change and Sea Level Rise in Washington State
Conference Track
Shorelines
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 10:30 AM
End Date
1-5-2014 12:00 PM
Location
Room 607
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Storm surges--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Sea level--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Estuarine ecology--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Climatic changes--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Effects of Pacific Northwest Winter Storms on Nearshore Processes in Puget Sound
Room 607
Unlike the Gulf of Mexico and mid-Atlantic coasts that are at the risk of storm surges induced by tropical cyclones and hurricanes, the Pacific Northwest coasts are subject to the threat of severe winter storms that cause heavy snowfall and rainfall, high wind and coastal storm surge. Sea-level rise as a result of climate change and extreme high tide can exacerbate the level of impacts of storm surge induced by winter storms in the Pacific Northwest coastal region, especially in the nearshore intertidal areas. This paper presents a modeling study of storm surge induced by winter storms and the impacts of coastal inundation on nearshore processes in the shallow estuaries and bays in Puget Sound using a coastal ocean model of Salish Sea and meteorological forcing from NOAA NCEP operational products. Storm surges in Puget Sound are simulated for selected winter storms and compared to NOAA real-time tide gages. Combined effects of future sea-level rise and storm surge on the nearshore hydrodynamics are also investigated with sensitivity modeling analysis.
