55 
gauge during this surge was as high as 669 cm and occurred about 7 hours later. The water 
gauge in Kotobrzeg measured 640 cm as its peak value on 4 November at 02 UTC. 
Fig. 6.15.2. Sea level changes during the storm surge of November 1995 
During this surge, the mean sea level was exceeded by 1.6 to 2 m. High sea levels (values 
above the warning level) persisted for more than 24 hours, after which they decreased 
steadily to normal values. In relation to the reference level indicator (536 cm on 2 
November) this surge lasted from 50 hours in Kotobrzeg to 55 hours in Warnemünde. 
The variation curve of this surge has a shape which is characteristic of an onshore storm of 
long duration, stable direction and force: a comparatively steep, irregular increase curve (in 
Warnemünde 165 cm in about 14 hours), a quasi-flat maximum (plateau) with minor 
oscillations (in Warnemünde numerous oscillations of 5-10 cm amplitudes during 
approximately 12 hours), and a rather smooth slope of decay (about 85 cm in 8 hours) to a 
level that is remarkably higher than before the surge. 
6.16 April 1997 
Meteorological situation 
On 9 -10 April, 1997, a weakening anticyclone travelled westwards from Central Europe and 
established itself over France and the British Isles (1034 hPa off Ireland), while low-pressure 
systems were moving from the Norwegian Sea in southeasterly direction, tracking across 
Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea. Some of the depressions soon filled as they moved south, 
while others emerged as secondary centres (Fig. 6.16.1.).