COUPLING AN OCEAN WAVE MODEL TO AN ATMOSPHERIC GENERAL-CIRCULATION MODEL

A coupled model, consisting of an ocean wave model and an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM), is integrated under permanent July c onditions. The wave model is forced by the AGCM wind stress, whereas t he wind waves modify the AGCM surface fluxes of momentum, sensible and latent heat. We investigate the following aspects of the coupled mode l: how realistic are the wave fields, how strong is the coupling, and how sensitive is the atmospheric circulation to the spatially and temp orally varying wave field. The wave climatology of the coupled model c ompares favorably with observational data. The interaction between the two models is largest (although weak) in the storm track in the South ern Hemisphere. Young windsea, which is associated with enhanced surfa ce fluxes is generated mostly in the equatorward ''frontal'' area of a n individual cyclone. However, the enhancement of the surface fluxes i s too small to significantly modify the climatological mean atmospheri c circulation.