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About storm surge data
Find out what storm surge is and what causes. Also find out about storm surge data available at various locations in Western Australia.
What is storm surge?
Storm surge is the difference between the actual observed sea level and the predicted sea level. The regular rise and fall of the sea level is continuously modified by the effects of the weather. Wind stresses on the sea surface and a reduction in atmospheric pressure are the two main causes of storm surge.
Changes in sea level generated by extreme meteorological events, such as winter storms and cyclones, may be positive or negative depending on whether the sea level is higher or lower than predicted. The effect of storm surge is most severe when these extreme meteorological events occur in conjunction with high tide.