Turbulence data obtained over natural water waves were analyzed using joint probability distribution and conditional means methods. These data represented conditions when the waves were decaying and when the waves were building. In both cases, significant wave-induced fluctuations were identified in the airflow. All features of the velocity fluctuations were examined for two levels above mean water level. In the case of a decaying wave field, decelerations in the airflow can be associated with an assumed propagating pressure maximum over the crest of the wave. Other than this deceleration, the airflow appears to reflect simple streamline bending over the mobile irregular wave surface. In the case of a building wave field, velocity fluctuations appear to agree with those predicted by linear wave generating theories.
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