Coastal Engineering Research Center (Continued) 
Hurricane Wave Statistics for the Gulf of Mexico 
Wilson, B. W., BEB TM 98 
Publication Date: June 1957 
Location: 5 deepwater (100 fathoms) stations in the Gulf 
of Mexico: Brownsville, Tex.; Gilchrist, Tex.; 
Burrwood, La.; Apalachicola, Fla.; and Tampa, 
Fla. 
Period of Coverage: 1900-1949 
Contents: This report contains the results of a statistical hindcast study of 
the heights and periods of significant waves generated by 11 historical 
hurricanes (1900-1949) occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. 
Twelve-hourly synoptic weather maps were prepared for each of the 11 hur- 
ricanes. Space-time wind fields are constructed for each of the five selected 
locations and are presented as maps. Envelope curves of maximum significant 
wave height and period as functions of arrival time at the five stations are 
also given. 
Probability distributions of wave height vs. percentage exceedance and 
frequency of occurrence of hurricane waves of specific significant heights and 
periods are presented for all five stations. 
Spiral diagrams of radial pressure distributions from the hurricane cen- 
ter at selected central pressures as a graphical aid are given in Appendix A. 
Appendix B is a theoretical and graphical aid in determining the hurricane 
surface wind velocity over the ocean. Appendix C presents a table of hurri- 
cane wave statistics which contains wave period, wave height, fetch, radius to 
maximum winds, and anomal pressure. 
Available From: National Technical Information Service 
US Department of Commerce 
5285 Port Royal Road 
Springfield, VA 22161 
(703) 487-4650, FTS 737-4650 
(NTIS Accession No: AD-158-633) 
Additional Information: This document was published by the Beach Erosion 
Board, the Coastal Engineering Research Center's 
predecessor organization. 
EV—32 
