An integrated wave modelling framework for classifying extreme events in the English Channel and on the Normandy coasts

Abstract Coastal storms have a significant impact on population and environments lying on the shore, and, in a context of climate change, the magnitude and frequency of these impacts are increasing. The English Channel, located between France and the United Kingdom, is one of the most impacted areas in terms of human activity, being also one of the most exposed spots to the effects of coastal extreme events, which are of great importance due to the specific morphology of the basin. Getting to know the characteristics of the storms that arrive to the English Channel and their evolution through it until they arrive to the coast is essential to define the actions that should be taken into consideration to protect these populations and environments. In this study, a database of sea level and waves is generated, selecting the most important extreme events during 12 years in terms of wave height, direction, and duration. Then, a classification is carried out to finally follow the most representative storms when they propagate from the shelf seas of English Channel to the Normandy coasts, in the North of France.