EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Macklin 1983
Macklin, S.A. (1983). Wind drag coefficient over first-year sea ice in the Bering Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research 88: doi: 10.1029/JC088iC05p02845. issn: 0148-0227.

Profiles of relative wind speed and temperature were collected from four levels over rough sea ice in the marginal ice zone of the Bering Sea and used to compute surface wind drag coefficients. Based upon 138 profiles for near-constant ice conditions, northeast winds of 3--15 m s-1, and near-neutral stability, the mean, near-neutral, 10-m drag coefficient was 0.00309¿0.00049. This is among the largest drag coefficients measured for neutral atmospheric conditions over sea ice. Sixty-five percent of the variance of this estimate is explained by orientation of the ice floe to the wind: an additional 5% of the variance is explained by wind-speed dependence. Provided that diabatic atmospheric stabiality over the Bering Sea ice pack is well correlated with low and speed, the significant ice-advecting wind stress on the ice is determined from the neutral value of the drag coefficient, a function of ice roughness length alone. The ice forecaster thus may use remote measurements or estimtes of wind speed and surface roughness to assess the wind component of ice advection.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit