Modeling, Theory, and Observations of Wave-Current-Wind Interactions

April 10, 2025

Bia Villas Boas

Hosted by Michael Bell

Abstract

Ocean surface waves are affected by winds, currents, and the interactions between them. Understanding these interactions is essential, as waves play a critical role in the transfer of energy, momentum, heat, and gases between the atmosphere and the ocean. Despite the strong coupling between waves, upper-ocean circulation, and the overlying atmosphere, advancements in wave, ocean, and atmosphere models have historically developed somewhat independently. This talk will explore key questions aimed at bridging the gap between ocean and wave models, advancing our theoretical understanding of interactions between waves, winds, and currents. Drawing on a combination of theory, numerical modeling, and data from remote sensing—including the recently launched Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite—I will discuss results from the first-ever kilometer-scale, two-dimensional maps of significant wave heights. SWOT reveals unprecedented 2D spatial gradients in significant wave height, capturing fine-scale variability previously identified only in numerical models. These observations highlight the critical role of currents in shaping the wave field and show strong agreement with theoretical predictions. SWOT’s high-resolution wave data represent a transformative advance in understanding air-sea interactions, paving the way for refining operational models and addressing challenges in characterizing the influence of sea state gradients on coupled air-sea processes.