Award # N0001409WR20059 LONG-TERM GOAL The long-term goal of this project is to understand the effects of surface waves on the structure of the marine atmospheric surface layer and surface flux parameterizations under a broad range of wind-wave conditions. OBJECTIVES This project is part of the High Resolution Wave-Air-Sea Interaction research initiative (HiRes). The objectives of this project are to characterize low-level atmospheric wind and thermodynamic profiles and variations, to

more »

... oceanic and atmospheric large scale forcing that affects boundary layer properties, and to understand the role of measured wave field in modifying atmospheric surface fluxes. APPROACH Our work within this project consists of three parts: measurements, the subsequent data analyses, and mesoscale model evaluation/improvements. The ship-based measurement efforts include high-rate sampling of the turbulent field for direct covariance flux measurements, continuous sampling of the low-level wind profiles by the ship-based acoustic Sodar, rawinsonde measurements of the troposphere, a suite of mean variables for quantifying the low-level thermodynamic and dynamic fields, downward radiation, and sea surface temperature measurements. The data analyses will focus on the low-level surface layer properties and surface flux parameterization involving sea state parameters. In addition to evaluating current COAMPS, we will experiment with sea-state dependant surface flux parameterization in COAMPS, possibly in coupled mode. Qing Wang is responsible for the overall project. Mr. Richard J. Lind worked on instrument preparation, calibration, and data sampling. Dr. John Kalogiros, an external research associate from National Observatory of Athens, Greece, worked on the data analyses. 1 Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.