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A parametric dynamical wave prediction model has been adapted and tested against semianalytic empirical results for steady conditions in a circular basin and extensive fid measurements of wave height, period, and direction. The adapted numerical model accurately predicts the directional spreading of waves for uniform steady wind that Donelan (1980) had predicted analytically for fetch-limited waves. When the model was applied to the central basin of Lake Erie and the results compared to observations of wave height and period (at two points in the lake) and direction (at one point), results for wave height and direction estimates were excellent compared to measurements at a research tower off the southern shore, but computed wave heights were lower than observed at a weather buoy in the western part. The • lodel somewhat underestimated wave periods at both places. Thus, with locally measured wind data as input, the model estimates wave height and direction well and wave period acceptably.Arbor, MI 48104.

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This paper presents an objective assessment of four methods for estimating sea surface friction velocity u* from wind speed at height z, uz, and air‐sea temperature difference. The methods are compared by using the computed friction velocity as the normalization factor in parametric correlations of wind‐wave parameters with the wind and wave measurements made by NOMAD buoys in the Great Lakes. The results show that (1) wind profile parameters obtained from the four methods are generally comparable, (2) parametric correlations with parameters normalized by u* lead to significantly decreased percentage deviations over correlations normalized by uz, and (3) correlations based on u* derived from the four methods show nearly identical percentage deviations. The conclusions are that (1) u* normalization acts to eliminate the effect of atmospheric stability and (2) any of the four methods can be used effectively in practical applications.