Accession Number:

ADA551012

Title:

Wave-Current Interaction in the Florida Current in a Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean-Wave Model

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

NAVAL RESEARCH LAB STENNIS DETACHMENT STENNIS SPACE CENTER MS

Personal Author(s):

• Jensen, T. G.
• Rogers, W. E.
• Gravois, U.
• Campbell, T.
• Allard, R.

Report Date:

2011-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

10.0

Abstract:

The interaction of waves and currents are investigated in the Florida Current region in two events in early April 2005 using a state-of-the-art coupled atmosphere-ocean forecast model that includes assimilation of observations. During the first event, strong northerly winds force swell southward opposing the Florida Current. Current-wave interaction results in larger significant wave heights than found without currents. The second event has south-easterly winds with a significant component along the current direction. In that case, significant wave heights are smaller for the simulation that includes wave-current interaction than without that feed-back. Wave heights at buoy locations near the coast is generally in good agreement with the models results, which implies that inclusion of wave-current interaction may not be important near the shore . The simulation includes events where the maximum winds reach 20 ms and significant wave heights exceed 2 m.

Descriptors:

• *COASTAL REGIONS
• *FLORIDA
• *OCEAN CURRENTS
• CURRENTS
• FEEDBACK
• FORECASTING
• OCEAN WAVES
• POSITION(LOCATION)

Subject Categories:

• Physical and Dynamic Oceanography

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE