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Surface displacement spectra, collected at five locations off Canada’s West Coast over a period extending from 1984 to 1989, were used to describe the overall wave climate, spectral types and storm characteristics of this region. Offshore waters experienced the most severe wave climate, as indicated by the joint occurrence of significant wave height (HSIG) and peak period (TP). Conditions of HSIG > 8m and TP > 17s were observed at all locations while the most severe record was represented by an HSIG > 13m and TP of 20s. Examination of the spectral types indicated a large percentage of swell dominant and multiple peak spectra which has implications towards both their numerical and parametric modelling. Fifteen storms, driven by both small and large scale pressure systems, were examined in detail and showed the presence of rapid sea growth (maximum rates on the order of 1 m/hr and 1s/hr for HSIG and TP) and, with the exception of Queen Charlotte Sound, an average 30% decrease in energy between offshore and inshore stations, intensification of sea conditions in Queen Charlotte Sound was observed on occasion (maximum intensification of 60%). The Ochi and Hubble six–parameter model was fit to all spectra. The statistical distribution of the fit parameters was calculated and an attempt was made to predict these parameters with varying success. The probability distribution of the fit parameters was also examined to define design spectra with known confidence limits.
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