The Redistribution of Air-Sea Momentum and Turbulent Kinetic Energy Fluxes by Ocean Surface Gravity Waves

The momentum flux to the ocean interior is commonly assumed to be identical to the momentum flux lost from the atmosphere in traditional atmosphere, ocean, and coupled models. However, ocean surface gravity waves (hereafter waves) can alter the magnitude and direction of the ocean-side stress (tau(oc)) from the air-side stress (tau(a)). This is rarely considered in coupled climate and forecast models. Based on a 30-yr wave hindcast, the redistribution of the global wind stress and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) flux by waves was investigated. Waves play a more important role in the windy oceans in middle and high latitudes than that in the oceans in the tropics (i.e., the central portion of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans). On average, the relative difference between tau(oc) and tau(a), gamma(tau), can be up to 6% in middle and high latitudes. The frequency of occurrence of gamma(tau) > 9% can be up to 10% in the windy extratropics. The directional difference between tau(oc) and tau(a) exceeds 3.5 degrees in the middle and high latitudes 10% of the time. The difference between tau(oc) and tau(a) becomes more significant closer to the coasts of the continents due to strong wind gradients. The friction velocity-based approach overestimates (underestimates) the breaking-induced TKE flux in the tropics (middle and high latitudes). The findings presented in the current study show that coupled climate and Earth system models would clearly benefit from the inclusion of a wave model. Significance StatementThe purpose of this study is to investigate the redistribution of the global wind stress and turbulent kinetic energy flux due to surface waves based on a 30-yr wave hindcast. The mean relative difference of the magnitude between the air-side and ocean-side stress is up to 6% with a 90th percentile of more than 9% in the windy extratropics. Due to strong wind gradients, the redistributive role of waves in the stress becomes more significant closer to coasts. The results indicate that we should consider the redistributive role of waves in the momentum and energy fluxes in climate and Earth system models since they are the key elements in the predictability of weather forecasting models and climate models.

Automated summary

This study investigates the redistribution of global wind stress and turbulent kinetic energy flux by surface waves based on a 30-year wave hindcast. The role of waves in the windy oceans in middle and high latitudes is more significant. The findings suggest that including a wave model in coupled climate and Earth system models would improve predictability in weather forecasting and climate modeling.