Waves and the equilibrium range at Ocean Weather Station P. Issue 11 (8th November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thomson, J.; D'Asaro, E. A.; Cronin, M. F.; Rogers, W. E.; Harcourt, R. R.; Shcherbina, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 118:Issue 11(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 5951
• Page End: 5962
• Publication Date: 2013-11-08
• Subjects: Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1002/2013JC008837
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9275

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>[1] Wave and wind measurements at Ocean Weather Station P (OWS‐P, 50°N 145°W) are used to evaluate the equilibrium range of surface wave energy spectra. Observations are consistent with a local balance between wind input and breaking dissipation, as described by Philips (1985). The measurements include direct covariance wind stress estimates and wave breaking dissipation rate estimates during a 3 week research cruise to OWS‐P. The analysis is extended to a wider range of conditions using observations of wave energy spectra and wind speed during a 2 year mooring deployment at OWS‐P. At moderate wind speeds (5–15 m/s), mooring wave spectra are in agreement, within 5% uncertainty, with the forcing implied by standard drag laws and mooring wind measurements. At high wind speeds (&gt;15 m/s), mooring wave spectra are biased low, by 13%, relative to the forcing implied by standard drag laws and mooring wind measurements. Deviations from equilibrium are associated with directionality and variations at the swell frequencies. A spectral wave hindcast accurately reproduces the mooring observations, and is used to examine the wind input.</p> </abstract>