Surface wind and sea waves in a hurricane field

Abstract

THE hazards associated with a hurricane are extremely strong wind, violent seas and heavy rain. Over the seas, heavy rain does not pose as much problem as the other two. It is very rare to get detailed information of surface winds and waves in the hurricane field over the seas. The only set of documented data regarding surface wind and heights of waves is by Arakawa and Suda1 describing the experience of main squadron of the Imperial Japanese Fleet as it inadvertently passed through the typhoon of September 1935. These simultaneous observations of weather and sea conditions are some of the best data on record. The hurricane reconnaissance over the Atlantic and Pacific could give the structure of winds in the hurricane field at 1000 ft or more above sea level, but no detailed observations about surface winds and waves are available.