35 
Fig. 6.6.1. Route of the stormy low-pressure centre between 26 November and 28 November 
06 UTC; pressure pattern and wind field over the Southern Baltic Sea on 28 November 1983 
at 06 UTC 
Hydrological response of the sea level 
On 26 and 27 November, when the gradual rise of sea levels began, moderate offshore to 
alongshore winds (SW, backing SE - E) prevailed both in the western and central parts of 
the southern Baltic coast. The rise of sea levels resulted from the forcing exerted by the long- 
fetch easterly wind, which drove the surface water towards the western basins. Levels there 
rose to about 570 cm (Wismar, Warnemünde, Sassnitz) in the morning of 27 November, and 
remained at this level for nearly 12 hours (e.g. from 8 to 19 UTC in Wismar). Then, at about 
20 UTC on 27 November, as the centre of the storm continued eastward, the direct impact of 
the stormy northerly wind on the western part of the coast caused sea levels to rise 40 cm 
within two hours. Levels then oscillated slightly between 620 and 645 cm during the 
culmination stage, which lasted for 14 hours (Wismar). The maximum of 646 cm was 
recorded in Wismar on 28 November, at 11 UTC. Warnemünde recorded 634 cm, and 
Sassnitz 619 cm. In the central area of the coast, the rapid increase began later, and the 
culmination phase, though of equal duration, occurred later, e.g. in Kotobrzeg about 8 hours 
later than in Wismar. The maximum levels were lower: 613 cm in Swinoujscie at 13 UTC, 
and 612 cm in Kotobrzeg at 11 UTC on 28 November. 
During this surge, the mean sea level was exceeded by 1.1 to 1.5 m. The warning stages 
lasted 31 to 50 hours along these parts of the coast, and the alarm level more than 20 hours. 
Relative to the reference level indicator (552 cm on 26 November), this surge lasted from 39 
hours in Swinoujscie to 54 hours in Sassnitz.