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Influence of wavelength on the parameterization of drag coefficient and surface roughness

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Abstract

Surface waves are the roughness element of the ocean surface, the air-sea interaction processes are influenced by the wave conditions. The dynamic influence of surface waves decays exponentially with distance from the air-water interface. The relevant length scale characterizing the decay rate is the wavelength. The parameterization of drag coefficient and surface roughness can be significantly improved by using wavelength as the reference length scale of atmospheric measurements. The wavelength scaling of drag coefficient and dynamic roughness also receives support from theoretical studies of wind and wave coupling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oceanography Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, 39529-5004, MS, USA

    Paul A. Hwang

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  1. Paul A. Hwang
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Hwang, P.A. Influence of wavelength on the parameterization of drag coefficient and surface roughness. J Oceanogr 60, 835–841 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-005-5776-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-005-5776-3

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