Estimation of wave parameters from HF radar using different methodologies and compared with wave buoy measurements at the Wave Hub

The high-quality backscattered spectra provided by the WERA HF radar systems in the Wave Hub area are used to estimate different wave parameters at the location of a wave buoy. The HF radar estimations are done using three different wave estimation algorithms: the standard WERA software, the software provided by Actimar and the software provided by Seaview Sensing. The data obtained with each methodology is validated against the data measured from an in situ instrument followed by a discussion to compare results obtained from each methodology and identify strengths and limitations. In general, all three methodologies provided good estimations of wave parameters. Differences between methods are found mostly in the data availability which is attributed to the type of method and to the quality criterion thresholds. From all wave parameters compared, estimation of significant wave height provides the best combination of data quality and availability.