Arctic regional maximum wave heights and trends derived from CMIP5-based ocean wave simulations for the periods 1979-2005 and 2081-2100

This dataset contains relative trends of annual and monthly regional maximum ocean wave heights in the Arctic, and data for three predictors derived from surface winds and sea ice concentration. It also contains estimates of historical (1979-2205) and future (2081-2100, RCP8.5 scenario) annual regional maximum wave heights, and of the available fetch. It includes an estimate of the possible future increase in regional maximum winds over widening ice-free areas in the Arctic. The ocean waves were simulated using the WAVEWATCH III wave model driven by surface winds and sea ice concentrations as simulated by five global climate models that participated in the Coupled Climate Model Comparison Phase 5 (CMIP5) project for both the historical and future periods.

Supplemental Information

Reference

Casas-Prat, M. and Wang, X.L. (2020) Sea-ice retreat contributes to projected increases in extreme Arctic ocean surface waves. Geophysical Research Letters, accepted.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated April 17, 2026, 18:10 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 18:10 (UTC)
contact_person {}
criticality_level []
data_dictionary []
geographic_scope []
open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_published 2020-05-01 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"fr": ["Arctique", "vagues", "extrêmes", "vent", "glace de mer", "CMIP5", "Changement climatique", "Climatologie", "météorologie", "Temps et climat"], "en": ["Arctic", "waves", "extremes", "wind", "sea ice", "CMIP5", "Climate change", "Climatology", "meteorology", "atmosphere", "Weather and Climate"]}
open_canada_subject ["nature_and_environment"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Hauteurs maximales des vagues océaniques et leurs tendances dans les régions de l’Arctique d’après des simulations de la CMIP5 pour les périodes 1979 2005 et 2081 2100
update_frequency as_needed