Prediction of offshore and nearshore storm waves using a third generation spectral wave model

The third generation wave model TOMAWAC has been applied to hindcast typical stormy events which reached the Atlantic French coasts. Comparison with measurements at sea demonstrates that TOMAWAC is a reliable tool for coastal and offshore engineering applications. The model was also used through a specific methodology whose main purpose is to create a numerical Atlas describing the wave extrema parameters which can be expected at any given location along the shore. Some ways to improve the methodology used finally given.