Abstract
Based on the solution of the turbulent kinetic energy balance equation for the airflow in the regime of limited saturation by suspended sea-spray droplets, some experimental evidence, and simple arguments, a resistance law of the sea surface at hurricane winds is derived. It predicts the reduction of the drag coefficient for the wind speed exceeding hurricane values of 30–40 m s -1 in agreement with field data.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
E. L. Andreas (1998) ArticleTitle‘A New Sea Spray Generation Function for Wind Speeds up to 32 m s-1‘ J. Phys. Oceanog 28 2175–2184
G. I. Barenblatt (1953) ArticleTitle‘On the Motion of Suspended Particles in a Turbulent Flow’ Prikl. Mat. Mekh 17 261–274
G. I. Barenblatt (1979) Similarity, Self-Similarity, and Intermediate Asymptotics, Consultants Bureau Plenum Press New York and London 218
H. Charnock (1955) ArticleTitle‘Wind Stress on a Water Surface’ Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc 81 639–640
Donelan, M. A.: 1990, ‘Air–Sea Interaction’, in B. Le Mehaute and D. M. Haines (eds.), The Sea: Ocean Engineering Science, Vol. 9, pp. 239–292.
V. N. Kudryavtsev V. K. Makin (2001) ArticleTitle‘The Impact of Air-Flow Separation on the Drag of the Sea Surface’ Boundary-Layer Meteorol 98 155–171
M. D. Powell P. J. Vickery T. A. Reinhold (2003) ArticleTitle‘Reduced Drag Coefficient for High Wind Speeds in Tropical Cyclones’ Nature 422 279–283
S. D. Smith (1980) ArticleTitle‘Wind Stress and Heat Flux over the Ocean in Gale Force Winds’ J. Phys. Oceanog 10 709–726
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Makin, V.K. A Note on the Drag of the Sea Surface at Hurricane Winds . Boundary-Layer Meteorol 115, 169–176 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-004-3647-x
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-004-3647-x