Wave height, character with respect to normal conditions

Waves are more related to what is known as marine meteorology than oceanography. They are a direct conse- quence of the wind blowing on the ocean surface and the sea-state strongly conditions human activities at sea, from navigation to fishing and recreational. Actually the main purpose of the existing oceanic buoy network in Spain is the measurement of the wave field.

Wave field is characterized by the height of the waves, the period and the direction of propagation. The common measure of wave height (the most evident characteristic) is the significant wave height defined as the average of the third tallest waves. Figure provides the realtime wave significant height and period over a 2D chart of the monthly climatology.