Experimental results of a study of wind waves in the Gulf Stream frontal zone are presented. Measurements of two-dimensional radar spectra of surface waves and surface current were performed during ship crossings of the Gulf Stream under different wind conditions. Waves reflected from the Gulf Stream were observed on the windward side for an along current wind. These effects resulted in a widening of the spectrum angular distribution and a deviation of the mean wave direction from that of the wind. Trapped waves were observed under against current winds. Depending on wave age, the trapped waves were either locally generated (developing waves) or entered into the jet downstream (nearly fully developed waves). Trapped waves significantly increase the wave energy locally. The experimental data are interpreted in terms of wave kinematics and the equation of spectrum evolution in the relaxation approximation. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1995.