Sensitivity assessment of wave heights to surface forcing in Cook Inlet, Alaska
Abstract Strong tidal forcing combined with complex winds and currents make wave modeling quite challenging in Cook Inlet (CI), Alaska. Using a coupled wind-wave–current modeling approach, we conducted a sensitivity analysis of the environmental factors that impact the modeling predictive skill for waves. A depth-averaged circulation model forced by the winds, tides, and river input was shown to replicate measured flow velocities (NOAA data obtained in 2005) with high correlation coefficients (R2>0.8). Wave–current interaction is examined by one-way and two-way coupling of the wave and circulation models for a 12-day period that included multiple storm events. On average, it is found that significant wave heights (SWHs), which were originally 2 m) was found to be minimal. On the other hand, the effect of waves on the currents was found to be marginal, which indicated that two-way coupling between the models may be unnecessary. Artificial adjustment to the currents (to account for possible errors and uncertainties in the circulation model such as baroclinic forcing, winds, and other effects) had only a small effect on the predicted SWHs resulting from the coupled model (