Cross sea
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A cross sea (also referred to as a squared sea or square waves) is a sea state of wind-generated ocean waves that form nonparallel wave systems. Cross seas have a large amount of directional spreading.<ref name=AMS>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This may occur when water waves from one weather system continue despite a shift in wind. Waves generated by the new wind run at an angle to the old.
Two weather systems that are far from each other may create a cross sea when the waves from the systems meet at a place far from either weather system. Until the older waves have dissipated, they can present a perilous sea hazard.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
This sea state is fairly common and a large percentage of ship accidents have been found to occur in this state.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Vessels fare better against large waves when sailing directly perpendicular to oncoming surf. In a cross sea scenario, that becomes impossible as sailing into one set of waves necessitates sailing parallel to the other.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Cross seas present a particular hazard for small boats and swimmers, since they can generate rip currents and waves up to Template:Convert.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
A cross swell is generated when the wave systems are longer-period swells, rather than short-period wind-generated waves.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>