Four decades of Mediterranean wave storms: climatology and trends from Copernicus Marine Service reanalysis

The Mediterranean Sea is frequently impacted by intense wave storms that drive coastal erosion, influence maritime safety, and shape long-term coastal risk. Understanding their long-term variability requires consistent, high-resolution datasets covering multiple decades. In this study, we analyse wave storm characteristics over a 41-year period (1985–2025) using the extended Copernicus Marine Service Mediterranean wave reanalysis. Storm events are identified using a statistically robust threshold-based approach derived from the 99th percentile of significant wave height. Wave storm occurrence, intensity, and duration are evaluated across the Mediterranean and the adjacent Northeast Atlantic, and their long-term trends are examined to assess the evolution of storminess over the last four decades. This work provides an updated basin-wide reference for Mediterranean wave storm behaviour and contributes to improved understanding of marine climate hazards relevant to coastal and offshore applications.