An experience in monitoring and integrating wind and wave data in the Campania region

Some results of a wind and wave monitoring activity carried out for more than twenty years in the costal waters of the Regione Campania, by two scientific institutions are given and a discussion is provided. A clear understanding of coastal processes can only be gained if all available data are systematically integrated with up-to-date wave modelling techniques; in order to do so the Navier Stokes numerical integration LAM and spectral wave models have been employed over the years. The experience and the knowhow, thus acquired, have been instrumental in defining a new regional wave measuring and monitoring system for the Civil Protection of the Regione Campania. While pursuing these tasks, a number of intermediate results on specific aspects, such as wind patterns over the sea in bays, the analysis of extreme events, the calibration of altimeter wave data and the influence of various factors on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images over enclosed seas were reached. A first hand experience of long-term wave and wind modelling is essential to improve the understanding of coastal processes as well as to develop techniques and methods for the design of monitoring networks and the integration of remote sensing data. © 2007 - OGS.