40 
between 07 and 10 UTC. In Wismar and Warnemünde, where the initially northerly gale of 6- 
7 Bft developed into a northeasterly storm of 7-8 Bft between 09 and 13 UTC on 9 January, 
the culmination developed last. The maximum levels of 611 cm in Wismar and 600 cm in 
Warnemünde were reached at about 13 UTC at both gauges (Fig. 6.8.3.). 
The maximum rate of increase ranged from 24 cm/h in Kotobrzeg, recorded between 05 and 
06 UTC, to 11 cm/h in Warnemünde, recorded at about 00 UTC on 9 January. The water 
stayed above warning levels for nearly 20 hours. Relative to the reference level indicator 
(which on 9 January was as high as 520 cm), the duration of this surge was 33 hours. 
The second phase, on 12-13 January, was characterised by a slower rise of sea levels, 
which began in the afternoon of 11 January. In the central part of the coast, levels above the 
warning values were only recorded on the coasts of the Pomeranian Bight, where the 
maxima between 17 and 19 UTC on 12 January did not exceed 599 cm in Swinoujscie 
(between 14 and 16 UTC), and 614 cm in Sassnitz. Sea levels in the area began to fall as 
soon as the zone of weaker SE veering winds had reached the area northwest of Bornholm 
and Rügen (Fig. 6.8.2.). The culmination in Warnemünde was recorded between 22 and 23 
UTC on 12 January and was as high as 642 cm. The sea level at Wismar decreased last, 
where the maximum of 673 cm was recorded between 00 and 01 UTC on 13 January. 
Based on the reference level indicator (519 cm on 11 January), the second phase of the 
surge lasted from 77 hours in Kotobrzeg to 90 hours in Warnemünde.