When listening to marine weather forcasts, what is the difference between "seas", "swells", and "waves"?

Answer 1

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It is a matter of scale. Seas are the general directional movement or the largest of waves. Swells are next in size and generally are not "breaking". Waves are the breaking part of swells. By breaking, it means that the water is flowing over itself.

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Asker's Comment:

Thanks. Direct, simple and to the point.

Answer 2

Well: according to "Boating Safety there is certain things about
this
Swells can be caused by Storm approaching
Waves could become 12ft in hight or less when condittions
gets windy some times or just an change of currents between
the Winter & Summer seasons called High tides"
see ship to shore radios saves lives !
refer http://www.boaterssafety.manuel.com

Source(s):

Boats& Boating

Answer 3

Sea is an all inclusive term.as in sea state.
Waves are very regular, periodic, localized . ie Crest to crest , height.Direction matches local wind
Swells are greatly less periodic than waves & usually are long distance indicators of weather systems far off. In the Great Lakes you can be miles off shore & witness regular waves from one direction & then every so often a swell will come in from another direction. Hey ! there's a storm from that away! Best site:http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/…

Source(s):

http://starpathdemos.com/weather/pg_6-7.… http://www.stormsurf.com/page2/tutorials…

Answer 4

Seas refers to all water surface conditions.
swells are left over from wind driven waves and are relatively far apart, found in the ocean.
Waves are caused by wind effecting the surface and increase in height with fetch(distance they have to move)
tsunami are earthquake generated waves.
wakes boat are boat generated waves
Waves are measured from the flat surface up or down, not the total observed height of the wave, but the total displacement from normal.