Turbulent Fluxes in the Hurricane Boundary Layer. Part I: Momentum Flux

• DOI: 10.1175/jas3887.1
• Publication Date: 2007-04-16T19:48:48Z
• Authors: Jeffrey R. French; William M. Drennan; Jun A. Zhang; Peter G. Black
• Keywords: Momentum (technical analysis); Wind Stress; Momentum transfer

Abstract An important outcome from the ONR-sponsored Coupled Boundary Layer Air–Sea Transfer (CBLAST) Hurricane Program is first-ever direct measurements of momentum flux within hurricane boundary layers. In 2003, a specially instrumented NOAA P3 aircraft obtained suitable for computing surface wind stress and ultimately estimating drag coefficients in regions with between 18 30 m s−1. Analyses data are presented 48 legs flown 400 two storms. Results suggest roll-off coefficient at higher speeds, qualitative agreement laboratory modeling studies inferences using log-profile method. However, amount speed which occurs remains uncertain, underscoring need additional measurements.