Abstract
Wind and stability characteristics in the atmospheric surface boundary layer at a height,Z, less than 20 m above the sea were examined in nine oceanic investigations. The analysis lends further support to the utility of the log-linear wind-profile law in the stability region of −0.4⩽Z/L⩽0.9, whereL is the Monin-Obukhov length. However, it is also shown that, inasmuch as better than 90% of the measurements fall within the range of ¦Z/L¦⩽ 0.25, and inasmuch as this correction to the drag coefficient under neutral conditions amounts to less than 10%, the familiar logarithmic wind law may be used rather than the log-linear form. A wind-stress drag coefficient,C d (=1.2×10−3 between 1.0 m ⩽Z⩽ 18.3 m), is thus recommended for general deepwater oceanic applications. The situation over shallow water, which is different, is discussed briefly.
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Hsu, S.A. On the log-linear wind profile and the relationship between shear stress and stability characteristics over the sea. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 6, 509–514 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02137683
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02137683