The Relation of Wind and Pressure to Extratropical Storm Surges at Atlantic City

Abstract

The relationship of certain meteorological parameters to the extratropical storm surge is investigated empirically. Multiple regression equations are determined which relate the onshore wind components, along-shore wind components, and atmospheric pressure distribution with various time lags to the storm surge. The alongshore component of wind is found to be more important than the onshore component in the generation of extratropical storm surges. Calculations using as predictors the components of both wind speed and wind speed squared show both systems to be about equally satisfactory for practical predictions. Comparison is made between a one-station model which uses weather parameters at Atlantic City, and a three-station model which includes information from Nantucket and Norfolk as well as Atlantic City. A practical forecast equation which contains five predictors is presented for possible operational use.