The vertical difference between the highest high tide and the lowest low tide at a particular location. Tidal range varies significantly around the world and is critical for port operations, under-keel clearance calculations, and the planning of vessel arrivals and departures.
Category: Weather & Sea Conditions
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Sea StateA description of the condition of the sea surface with respect to wave and swell characteristics, categorised using the Douglas Sea Scale from 0 (calm, glassy) to 9 (phenomenal, waves over 14 metres).Storm SurgeAn abnormal rise in sea level generated by a storm's winds and low atmospheric pressure, over and above the predicted astronomical tide.SwellLong-period ocean waves generated by distant weather systems that travel far from their origin, distinct from wind waves generated by local conditions.Trade WindsPersistent easterly winds that blow from the subtropical high-pressure belts toward the equatorial low-pressure belt, from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.TsunamiA series of ocean waves with extremely long wavelengths caused by large-scale disturbances of the ocean floor, typically from undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or submarine landslides.TyphoonA mature tropical cyclone that develops in the western North Pacific Ocean, characterised by sustained wind speeds of 64 knots (119 km/h) or greater.
Back to DictionaryEntry updated May 2026