Over-ocean atmospheric boundary layer dynamics under varying wind-wave development stage

Abstract

Dynamic characteristics of the over-ocean atmospheric planetary boundary layer are obtained for a given geostrophic wind velocity and for varying wind-wave age, which depends on time and on varying near-water wind. Numerical experiments are done with use of a theoretical atmospheric boundary layer model and of a stochastic dependence of the non-dimensional sea surface roughness length on the wave age criterion. It is found that wind-wave development stage visibly influences the dynamic structure of the atmospheric boundary layer. So the wave age must be taken into account in analysing and modeling of atmospheric processes in the vicinity of frontal zones, in areas of intense cyclone activity etc. The discussed influence is important first of all in problems of synotic or of shorter time scales.