Accession Number:

ADA576317

Title:

Observed Near-Surface Currents Under High Wind Speeds

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA NAVAL OCEAN ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Chang, Y.
• Chen, G.
• Tseng, R.
• Centurioni, L. R.
• Chu, Peter C.

Report Date:

2012-11-28

Pagination or Media Count:

7.0

Abstract:

From the Surface Velocity Program SVP drifter current and QuikSCAT wind data, the relationship between the observed near-surface current vectors and surface wind vectors for the northwestern Pacific Ocean under high winds 20 50 m sexpn -1 are obtained with quantitative estimations of near-surface drift ratio current speed versus wind speed r 2 and near-surface drift angle a 0 deg 10 deg to the right of the winds. These estimations keep unchanged after removing the surface geostrophic component. From the SVP drifter current and daily WindSat wind data, the estimated r is still approximately 2. Three linear regression equations are obtained between the observed near-surface current speeds and the surface wind stress for the high wind range.

Descriptors:

• *OCEAN CURRENTS
• *WIND VELOCITY
• AIR WATER INTERACTIONS
• CORIOLIS EFFECT
• DRIFT
• LINEAR REGRESSION ANALYSIS
• NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN

Subject Categories:

• Meteorology
• Physical and Dynamic Oceanography

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE