On the correct surface stress for the prediction of the wind wave field and the storm surge in the Northern Adriatic Sea

This paper discusses which formulation of the surface stress over the sea d etermines the most accurate prediction of the wind wave field and storm sur ge in the Northern Adriatic Sea. The study shows that the results of the st orm surge and wind wave models, when compared to the available observations , can be used for the validation of the surface stress and of the expressio n adopted for the ssr (sea surface roughness). The results are representati ve of short fetch and young wind sea conditions. The agreement between the results and the measurements shows the feasibility of the wind wave and sto rm surge predictions in the Adriatic Sea and supports the dependence of the ssr, and, therefore, of the surface stress, on the spectrum of the surface wave.