ABSTRACT
The transfer of momentum from the atmosphere to the ocean at their interface is of considerable importance to meteorologists, as well as to physical oceanographers. A part of this momentum goes into the generation of surface waves, while the remaining portion is responsible for setting up drift currents and turbulence in the upper layers of the ocean. The relative partitioning of momentum between these different modes of motion in water depends on such factors as the stage of wave growth, duration and fetch of winds, etc. and is not easy to determine. But the total momentum exchange can be determined from measurements in the atmospheric surface layer, well above the level of highest wave crests.
