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North Atlantic storm generate huge waves
A storm hit the North-East Atlantic coast on March 10, 2008. Altimeters measured significant wave heights above 16 m.
A storm hit the North-East Atlantic coast on March 10, 2008.
The altimeter onboard Envisat measured significant wave heights above 16 m on March 10 at about 12 h. The day before, at about 20 h, Jason-1 measured heights over 14 m further West.
At the same time, a buoy South of Ireland recorded 17.8 m. Such significant wave heights are comparable to what can be measured during tropical cyclones.
This event was forecasted by Météo France models 4 to 5 days in advance.
However, especially high spring tide lead to considerable damages and serious problems for navigation (a cargo even run aground on the Sables d'Olonne beach in France).