Evaluation of Ocean-Wave Dependence of Sea Surface Roughness Using Wave-Boundary Layer Model

Abstract

Ocean-wave dependence of sea surface roughness is investigated using a wave boundary layer model, which is based ona recently obtained knowledge of air-sea interaction. The momentum flux is estimated by solving the model with meteorologicaland ocean wave information, which is obtained by carrying out the WRF and WWIII simulations. When windwaveis predominant, the results show clear relationships between Charnock coefficient and the wave age, between theroughness normalized by significant wave height z0/Hs and the wave age, and between the z0/Hs and the wave steepness.On the other hand, when swell is predominant, the results do not show clear dependence of Charnock coefficient on thewave age, and that of z0/Hs on the wave steepness, although that of z0/Hs on the wave age is observed.