The air-sea wind boundary layer

The drag coefficient is one of the most important quantities used in modeling air-sea interaction. Most studies suggest this coefficient is a function of mean wind speed. There is, however, a considerable degree of scatter associated with such dependences. This means that the accuracy of predictions using the sea-surface drag parameter is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the dependence of drag coefficients on physical factors related to wind speed, sea state, wave directional spreading, wind gustiness and ocean stratification.