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Kara et al. 2007
Kara, A.B., Metzger, E.J. and Bourassa, M.A. (2007). Ocean current and wave effects on wind stress drag coefficient over the global ocean. Geophysical Research Letters 34: doi: 10.1029/2006GL027849. issn: 0094-8276.

The effects of ocean surface currents and dominant waves on the wind stress drag coefficient (C D ) are examined over the global ocean. Major findings are as follows: (1) the combination of both ocean wave and current speeds can result in reductions in daily C D (>10%), but the notable impact of the latter is only evident in the tropical Pacific Ocean; (2) the presence of waves generally makes winds weaker and C D lower almost everywhere over the global ocean; (3) strong ocean currents near the western boundaries (Kuroshio and Gulf Stream) do not substantially influence C D since the winds and currents are not always aligned; and (4) the change in speed used in bulk flux parameterization also causes large changes in fluxes. Globally, the combined outcome of ocean currents and waves is to reduce C D by about (2%), but spatial variations (0% to 14%) do exist.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Oceanography, Physical, Air/sea interactions (0312, 3339), Oceanography, Physical, Eddies and mesoscale processes, Oceanography, Physical, General circulation (1218, 1222), Oceanography, Physical, Hydrography and tracers
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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