Modeling long term distribution of mean wave direction

Abstract

Mean wave direction probabilistic behavior is examined by using longtime series of characteristic wave parameters both of linear, significant wave height and spectral peak period, and circular nature. The methodological approach is based on the use of the statistics of directional data. The analysis is performed on the mean wave direction in terms of the climatic season, the sea state severity and the period of the dominant waves. The usefulness of the uniform and the von Mises theoretical models to describe the empirical kernel density estimates are examined, as well as the existence of some degree of association between each one the linear variables and the mean wave direction.