Wind direction from an upward looking ADCP

Considers velocity estimates of the near-surface ocean from upward looking ADCPs. The authors believe that the acoustic targets that provide this velocity signal are subsurface bubbles generated by wave breaking. The near surface current is a combination of both regional currents and local wind generated currents. The authors present a method isolating the local wind drift current to provide An estimate of wind direction using only upward looking ADCP data. Observations from a variety of oceanic regimes are considered with data from the equator, the Northeast Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Tehuantepec (Mexico). Wind direction and inferred surface current direction at the equator are very closely correlated, with a mean difference of 1.4/spl deg/; data from the Northeast Pacific Ocean also show a strong correlation with a mean difference of 12/spl deg//spl plusmn/23/spl deg/ with the ADCP-measured values to the of the wind direction. These results provide a basis for inferring wind direction from ADCP-derived near-surface currents.