The generation of the first visible wind waves

Abstract

In this paper we report the results of the first laboratory study on the relationship between the initial growth of the short wind waves and the simultaneous development of the wind-induced drift current. The phenomenon of the first visible ripples appearing “suddenly” on the water surface and forming V-shaped streaks aligned with the wind is explained. We show that the laminar–turbulent transition of the near surface water flow causes an explosive growth of the initial wind-generated ripples. The grown ripples become visible and thus mark the surface of the well-localized V-shaped turbulent zones forming the streaks.