Enhanced rise of rogue waves in slant wave groups

Numerical simulations of fully nonlinear equations of motion for long-crested waves at deep water demonstrate that in elongate wave groups the formation of extreme waves occurs most intensively if in an initial state the wave fronts are oriented obliquely to the direction of the group. An “optimal” angle, resulting in the highest rogue waves, depends on initial wave amplitude and group width, and it is about 18–28 degrees in a practically important range of parameters.