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Earth and Space Sciences · Glossary

What is Storm surge?

Definition 5.8 High School Earth and Space Sciences · Chapter 5 — Storms and Tropical Cyclones

A storm surge is the rise of the sea above its normal level, tide excluded, caused by a storm: the wind piles water against the coast, and the low pressure lets the sea bulge up beneath the storm.

A storm surge (schematic, heights greatly exaggerated): the sea rises by about 1\, cm for every hectopascal of low pressure beneath the storm, and the onshore wind piles water against the coast.
A storm surge (schematic, heights greatly exaggerated): the sea rises by about 1 cm1\,\mathrm{cm} for every hectopascal of low pressure beneath the storm, and the onshore wind piles water against the coast.
A coastal street the morning after a storm surge: sea water, broken palms and torn fences.
A coastal street the morning after a storm surge: sea water, broken palms and torn fences.
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