09-Feb-2008 Waves at Steep Head 

Data kindly supplied by NIWA, ECan, and Christchurch City Council.

Commentary

Up until 9-Feb, the waves at the waverider buoy at Steep Head were sea waves (periods less than 8 s) from the northeast, then swell waves (periods greater than 8 s) from the east took over, peaking mid-afternoon on 9-Feb. The waves were high, but not extreme. Waves of this height occur several times a year.

Figure 1. Waves at Steep Head, showing: Top: Significant wave height, with percentages of the time waves are below particular levels; Middle: Wave period; Bottom: Wave direction. Times are in NZST (UTC + 12).

Return to top
Back to Map