Persian Gulf zone classification based on the wind and wave climate variability

This study aims to assess the wind and wave spatio-temporal variability in the Persian Gulf using localized ECMWF wind data and numerically modeled wave characteristics in a 31-yearly period. The results represented that the highest values occur mainly in the middle part of the domain, especially during the winter, and the seasonal variation of the wind and wave climate is mostly affected by Shamal wind phenomena while the winter and summer-time Shamal winds affect the middle and northwestern parts of the Persian Gulf, respectively. For quantitative assessment, twenty stations were selected and the results indicated that the highest mean significant wave height (SWH) occurs in the central strip of the middle parts of the Persian Gulf during both February and June, while the monthly variations of wind and wave characteristics are different in the stations located near the Strait-of-Hormuz. In addition, the temporal stability of both wind speed (WS) and SWH is more in the eastern part of the domain, while the stability of wave dominant direction is more than that of wind. Based on the similarity between the temporal variations of wind and wave characteristics, the domain was divided into three sub-regions as representatives of different wind/wave climates. • Assessment of wind and wave climate variability was carried out in Persian Gulf.• Results showed that hotspots occur mainly in the middle parts during the winter.• Quantitative assessments were performed in selected stations covering the domain.• Based on similarity of variations, domain was divided into three sub-regions.