Coastal Storms: Analysis of Observed Sea Level and Wave Events in the Scopac Region (Southern England) following Winter 2013/14

In response to recent extreme events and stormy winters, an analysis of observed wave and sea level data set was carried out for the Regional Coastal Group for central southern England. This included comparing extreme events and to put recent events into context with longer data sets, providing easily accessible and understandable scientific information to infer causes of coastal flooding and/or erosion. Time series data from tide gauges and wave buoys were used to assess (1) trends and patterns, (2) threshold exceedances, (3) Storm Events and Extremes, (4) Bimodal Waves and Swell and (5) Consequences. The results confirm on a regional scale how sea levels are rising with signals of changes to waves. Given the length of existing data sets questions remain over changes to storm magnitude, frequency, and inferences of climate change influence. The high magnitude of the 2013/14 storms in terms of extremity and temporal clustering is apparent whilst this paper promotes the continuation of the Coastal Monitoring and future interim updates given the level of interest in the study.