Turbulent flux of water vapor in relation to the wave field and atmospheric stratification

Field measurements of evaporation rate, momentum and heat flux together with mean meteorological quantities allow inferences to be drawn concerning the sheltering of air in the troughs of large waves and the possible differences between moisture and heat fluxes in very stable regimes over water. Interpretation of the measurements in terms of the processes near the surface are based on the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. The results presented indicate that in the presence of water waves and under strong atmospheric stable stratification further detailed measurements are needed to fully explain the processes at work and that Monin-Obukhov theory may need modification.