Inter-comparison of wave data obtained from single high-frequency radar, in situ observation, and model prediction

Wave data near coasts estimated from high-frequency (HF) radar are inter-compared with in situ and model-predicted wave data. The comparisons are useful since the in situ wave data are limited to the main wave parameters and the observation is limited to a single point. The agreement between in situ and model-predicted wave heights is reasonable, considering the accuracy of the model input wind. The agreement between radar-estimated and model-predicted wave energy in the intermediate frequency band, which is the most energetic frequency band, is better than that in the low- or high-frequency bands. On the other hand, the agreement between the radar-estimated and model-predicted wave direction is best in the high-frequency band, which is the band closest to the Bragg frequency. The spatial distribution of the radar-estimated wave heights during the observation period is similar to that of the model-predicted wave height in the limited area.