Global Trends in Wind Speed and Wave Height

TLDR

Climate studies usually focus on temperature, yet wind speed and surface gravity waves over the oceans also play a crucial role. The study aimed to investigate global changes in oceanic wind speed and wave height over a 23‑year period. The authors used a 23‑year database of calibrated and validated satellite altimeter measurements to conduct this investigation. The analysis shows a global increase in wind speed and, to a lesser extent, wave height, with a steeper rise for extreme events than for mean conditions.

Abstract

Studies of climate change typically consider measurements or predictions of temperature over extended periods of time. Climate, however, is much more than temperature. Over the oceans, changes in wind speed and the surface gravity waves generated by such winds play an important role. We used a 23-year database of calibrated and validated satellite altimeter measurements to investigate global changes in oceanic wind speed and wave height over this period. We find a general global trend of increasing values of wind speed and, to a lesser degree, wave height, over this period. The rate of increase is greater for extreme events as compared to the mean condition.