Numerical modeling of anemobaric fluctuations of the Baltic Sea level

Considered is the diagnostic numerical modeling of the formation process of sea level variations carried out using the long-term data on the air pressure and wind speed over the Baltic Sea. The main objective of the analysis is to assess the relative contribution of generating factors (variable air pressure and wind speed) to the range of sea level variability. The data on surface wind and air pressure over the Baltic Sea area are taken from the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis for the period of 1992–2000. Computed spectral characteristics estimated for the simulated time series agree well with the observational data. It is demonstrated that the main factor defining the Baltic Sea level variability is the wind. For example, up to 80% of the energy of the sea level fluctuations in the Gulf of Finland is caused by the tangential stress of wind.