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This calculator determines wind velocity based on wave height and fetch length for fetch distances less than 20 miles. It's particularly useful in coastal engineering and marine studies where wave characteristics are used to estimate wind conditions.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula establishes a relationship between wave characteristics and wind velocity, specifically for fetch lengths less than 20 miles (approximately 32.2 km).
Details: Accurate wind velocity estimation from wave measurements is crucial for marine navigation, coastal structure design, weather forecasting, and understanding ocean-atmosphere interactions.
Tips: Enter wave height in meters and fetch length in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. This formula is specifically valid for fetch lengths less than 20 miles.
Q1: What is fetch length in oceanography?
A: Fetch length is the uninterrupted distance over which wind blows across water surface in a constant direction, creating waves.
Q2: Why is this formula limited to fetch less than 20 miles?
A: Wave development becomes more complex beyond this distance due to factors like wave breaking, nonlinear interactions, and energy dissipation.
Q3: How accurate is this wind velocity estimation?
A: The formula provides reasonable estimates for limited fetch conditions but may have variations due to factors like wind duration, water depth, and atmospheric stability.
Q4: Can this be used for ocean waves?
A: This formula is primarily designed for smaller water bodies and coastal areas where fetch is limited, not for open ocean conditions.
Q5: What units should be used for input values?
A: Both wave height and fetch length should be entered in meters for accurate results in m/s wind velocity.