Monitoring Wind Waves in Golubaya Bay Using Shore-Based X-Band Radar During the November 2023 Black Sea Storm

E. A. Ezhova1, 2, ✉, S. A. Myslenkov1, 3, V. V. Ocherednik1

1 Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

2 Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russian Federation

3 Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation

✉ e-mail: ezhova.ea@phystech.edu

Abstract

Purpose. Extreme storm events provide unique conditions for assessing the performance of coastal wave-monitoring systems under severe conditions. In November 2023, an intense storm in the Black Sea generated significant wave heights exceeding 9 m offshore, with heights of 5–6 m recorded in the vicinity of Golubaya Bay. This study presents wave observations obtained using a shore-based X-band marine radar equipped with the SeaVision processing system.

Methods and Results. Prior to the storm, the wave-height retrieval algorithm was calibrated over a 10-day period using measurements from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). The calibration yielded a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.35 m and a correlation coefficient of 0.77. Time series of wave parameters derived from radar observations (15–29 November 2023) were compared with in situ ADCP measurements, satellite altimetry data, Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS) reanalysis, and WAVEWATCH III model simulations. The maximum significant wave height retrieved from the radar reached 6.3 m. The radar image processing algorithm enables the reconstruction of the wave frequency-directional spectra. Spectral analysis indicates that, during storm development, energy gradually shifts toward lower frequencies and the dominant period increases. The spectra and radar images also show a change in the incident angle of the wave crests into the bay – at the storm peak this angle shifts westward. Directional spectra derived from radar data can be assimilated or used as boundary conditions indifferent wave models.

Conclusions. The results demonstrate the capability of shore-based X-band radar systems to provide reliable, continuous monitoring of nearshore wave conditions, even during extreme storms, and highlight their value for validating numerical models.

Keywords

wind waves, extreme storm, Black Sea, Golubaya Bay, X-band radar, remote sensing, wave observation, wave model validation, WAVEWATCH III

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by state assignment FMWE-2025-0002. The authors express their gratitude to B. V. Divinsky for providing the ADCP data and valuable comments, S. Yu. Kuznetsov for helpful recommendations on the manuscript structure and N.D. Tilinina for coordinating the work.

For citation

Ezhova, E.A., Myslenkov, S.A. and Ocherednik, V.V., 2025. Monitoring Wind Waves in Golubaya Bay Using Shore-Based X-Band Radar During the November 2023 Black Sea Storm. Physical Oceanography, 32(6), pp. 887-901.

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