The
wave buoy is located 13km off Pukehina Beach
in a central position within the curve of the Bay of Plenty.
Significant wave
height is an
average measurement of the largest third of waves. Significant wave height
corresponds well to visual estimates of wave height.
Maximum wave height is the largest wave recorded (peak
to trough).
Significant wave
period is the
average time it takes for a wave to pass the wave buoy.
Wave direction is the direction from which the
wave arrives at the buoy. This is shown as degrees from North in a clockwise
direction. For example, a wave arriving from the east will have a wave
direction of 90 degrees.
Sea surface
temperature is
measured from a sensor mounted near the base of the wave buoy (approximately
0.5m below the sea surface).
The Swell
Map model describes the sea state in the Bay of Plenty in near real time.
The model should be used as a complementary source of information to augment
traditional meteorological data and forecasts.
