ESTIMATION OF FRICTION OF SURFACE WINDS IN THE AUGUST 1949, FLORIDA HURRICANE

Abstract

The equations of motion are adapted for use in computing the tangential and normal components of friction in a model hurricane. Values of the components of friction are estimated from surface data of the August 1949 Florida hurricane. The computations are based upon mean pressure and wind profiles describing the front and rear portions of the storm, within 28 to 70 miles from the center, as it moved through the Lake Okeechobee region. The tangential component of friction appears to be greater than the normal component in the region to the rear of the center, while in advance of the center the opposite is generally observed. All friction curves show a continuous increase of friction with wind speed.