Dynamics and sea state in the Gulf of Naples: potential use of high-frequency radar data in an operational oceanographic context

Abstract

High-frequency coastal radars (HFRs) have proved to be excellent tools for monitoring coastal circulation, providing synoptic, high spatial and temporal resolution surface current data in real time. They may also give detailed information on the surface wave field of coastal areas. An HFR has been operating in the Gulf of Naples (south-eastern Tyrrhenian Sea) since 2004. In this paper we show the results of their utilisation in the study of the Gulf dynamics and sea state, with a focus on potential applications in the context of operational oceanography.