Cotrim et al. (2025) A Framework for Storm Classification and Hydrograph Generation From Total Water Level in Europe

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Earth s Future
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-12-01
• Authors: C. Cotrim, A. Toimil, I. J. Losada, H. Lobeto, M. Menéndez
• DOI: 10.1029/2025ef006545

Research Groups

The abstract does not specify research groups, labs, or departments involved in the study.

Short Summary

This study characterizes total water level (TWL) storms across Europe by classifying them based on shape and developing a method to determine their duration. The aim is to improve the construction of hydrographs and flood maps by considering regional variability and uncertainties in storm characteristics.

Objective

• To characterize total water level (TWL) storms, considering their shape and duration, for coastal flood analysis across Europe.
• To classify TWL storms based on their shape and identify different storm types reflecting the relative contributions of TWL components.
• To introduce a method for determining the duration of individual historical storms and estimate durations for return level events.
• To implement a new method for designing hydrographs for extreme events to assess resulting water volumes.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Coastal areas across Europe, with specific focus on the semi-enclosed Baltic Sea and Mediterranean Sea.
• Temporal Scale: Historical storm events and extrapolated return period events.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: The study proposes a three-step approach:
  1. Classification of TWL storms based on their shape.
  2. A method to determine the duration of individual historical storms and estimate durations of return level events using storm duration functions.
  3. A new method to design hydrographs for extreme events.
• Data sources: Historical storm data (implied observations, but no specific source type like satellite or reanalysis is mentioned).

Main Results

• Four distinct TWL storm types were identified around Europe, reflecting different relative contributions of TWL components (waves, storm surges, astronomical tides).
• Accurate storm duration functions are crucial, particularly for the longest storms observed in the Mediterranean Sea, for both historical and extrapolated return period events.
• Regional variability is significant, with the Baltic Sea exhibiting storm surge-dominated storms and the Mediterranean Sea showing mixed-type storms.
• Associated uncertainties in storm shape and duration can exceed 20%, especially when the contribution of TWL components is unknown.
• The implemented hydrograph design method enables the assessment of water volumes for different extreme event scenarios.

Contributions

• Introduction of a novel three-step approach for characterizing TWL storms, including shape classification and duration determination.
• Identification of four distinct TWL storm types across Europe, providing insights into regional differences in TWL component contributions.
• Development of a method to determine storm durations for both historical and return level events, emphasizing the importance of accurate duration functions.
• Implementation of a new method for designing extreme event hydrographs, allowing for water volume assessment under various scenarios.
• Explicit consideration and quantification of uncertainties in storm shape and duration, particularly when component contributions are unknown, enhancing the reliability of flood risk assessments.

Funding

The abstract does not contain information regarding funding projects, programs, or reference codes.

Citation

@article{Cotrim2025Framework,
  author = {Cotrim, C. and Toimil, A. and Losada, I. J. and Lobeto, H. and Menéndez, M.},
  title = {A Framework for Storm Classification and Hydrograph Generation From Total Water Level in Europe},
  journal = {Earth s Future},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1029/2025ef006545},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2025ef006545}
}