Rogue waves and their forecasting

Rogue or freak waves are waves whose amplitude is much larger than their background sea state. In the present seminar I will discuss different mechanisms of formation of such waves. I will show how strong deviations from Gaussian statistics of the surface elevation (extreme waves) can be naturally included in the operational wave forecasting models. Analytical results will also be compared with experimental data obtained in Marintek (Norway), one of the largest wave basins in the world.