Geographical diversity in the occurrence of extreme sea levels on the coasts of the Baltic Sea

Extreme sea levels in the Baltic Sea exhibit significant geographical diversity, with the highest and most prolonged extreme highs occurring in the Gulf of Finland, Gulf of Riga, and Bothnian Bay, while the Western Baltic, including Mecklenburg and Kiel Bays, experiences frequent low sea levels and deep negative storm surges. The study analyzed hourly sea level data from 37 tide gauges between 1960 and 2010, identifying eight sub-basins with distinct fluctuation patterns using cluster analysis. It further assessed the intensity and frequency of extreme sea levels, considering factors like cyclone exposure, bathymetry, and gauge location relative to open waters. The findings highlight that the Swedish coasts of the Central and Northern Baltic are least exposed to both high and low extremes, with fewer storm surges annually.

Wolski, T., & Wiśniewski, B. (2020). Geographical diversity in the occurrence of extreme sea levels on the coasts of the Baltic Sea. Journal of Sea Research, 159, 101890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2020.101890