A review of surface swell waves and their role in air–sea interactions

Abstract

Swell waves, characterized by the long wavelength components generated by distant weather systems or storms, exert a significant influence on various air–sea interaction processes, thereby impacting weather and climate systems. Over recent decades, substantial progress has been achieved in comprehending the dynamics of swell waves and their implications for air–sea interactions. This paper presents a comprehensive review of advancements and key findings concerning surface swell waves and their interactions with the atmosphere. It encompasses a range of topics, including wave growth theory, the effects of swell waves on air–sea momentum, heat, and mass fluxes, as well as their influence on atmospheric turbulence and mixed layer processes. The most important characteristics of the swell impact (where it differs from wind sea conditions) are the wave-induced upward component of the surface stress leading to alteration of total surface stress, generation of a low-level wind maxima or changed wind profile and change of scale and behaviour of turbulence properties (turbulence kinetic energy and integral length scale). Furthermore, the paper explores the modelling of swell dissipation, the integration of swell influences in weather and climate models, and the broader climatic implications of surface swell waves. Despite notable advances in understanding swell processes, persistent knowledge gaps remain, underscoring the need for further research efforts, which are outlined in the paper.