Storm Imogen, extreme sea conditions West Cornwall
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2016 10:28 am
West Cornwall caught the brunt of Storm Imogen on Monday 8th. The swell peaked at 38’at Sevenstone’s, off Land's End, a height which has a 10 year return period. This is almost identical to the heights reached in March 2008 & in 2014, so the 10 year return period may need reviewing!
It is important to note that these are significant wave heights, i.e. the mean wave height (trough to crest) of the highest third of the waves. The largest wave sets will be about 50% bigger, so around 60'. In fact the wave hub at Hayle recorded a huge 19m swell!
A few of my pics from Sennen attached, really fairly self explanatory.
http://www.easterling.freeserve.co.uk/stormfeb.html
It’s worth saying it was only half tide and the sea was way above the normal high tide level, even inbetween the waves. The 2 looking down into the cove were taken from approx. 300’ above sea level. You can just make out the harbour car park, where I had intended to photograph the waves coming over the headland from below, but for the 1st time ever I was driven back from that location, but managed to take one of the back of the breakwater. My personal favourite is the one of the breakwater with a 30’+ wave approaching.
Windwise an 86mph gust at John Chappell’s Land’s End site, 94mph at Sevenstones easily the strongest winds of the winter so far.
It is important to note that these are significant wave heights, i.e. the mean wave height (trough to crest) of the highest third of the waves. The largest wave sets will be about 50% bigger, so around 60'. In fact the wave hub at Hayle recorded a huge 19m swell!
A few of my pics from Sennen attached, really fairly self explanatory.
http://www.easterling.freeserve.co.uk/stormfeb.html
It’s worth saying it was only half tide and the sea was way above the normal high tide level, even inbetween the waves. The 2 looking down into the cove were taken from approx. 300’ above sea level. You can just make out the harbour car park, where I had intended to photograph the waves coming over the headland from below, but for the 1st time ever I was driven back from that location, but managed to take one of the back of the breakwater. My personal favourite is the one of the breakwater with a 30’+ wave approaching.
Windwise an 86mph gust at John Chappell’s Land’s End site, 94mph at Sevenstones easily the strongest winds of the winter so far.