Mediterranean offshore extreme wind analysis from the 44-year HIPOCAS database: different approaches towards the estimation of return periods and levels of extreme values

Abstract. The present contribution addresses the performance of a statistical extreme wind analysis over the whole Mediterranean Basin. Estimations of return periods and levels are obtained over offshore areas through analysis of annual wind maxima. An alternative regional statistic method, based on regional L-moments, is also proposed. This regional technique allows increasing the sample size, using data from a homogeneous region instead of only from a single location, reducing therefore uncertainty. The performed statistical extreme wind analyses provide a detailed assessment of Mediterranean offshore high wind areas.