Some applications will require the conversion of BVW stress to zonal (West to East) and zonal (South to North) components. BVW stress vectors are parallel (first component) and perpendicular (second component) to the mean direction of wave propagation. Conversion to zonal and meridional components (tau_x and tau_y) requires a simple rotation. If the mean direction of wave propagation (wave_ang) is specified in a 'math coordinate' system (zero degrees to the East, and angles increasing in a counter-clockwise direction), then the equations for this rotation are:
tau_x = tau[0] * cos(wave_ang*DTR) + tau[1] * sin(wave_ang*DTR);
tau_y = -tau[0] * sin(wave_ang*DTR) + tau[1] * cos(wave_ang*DTR);
Where tau[] is the BVW stress vector, and DTR is a constant converting degrees to radians.
To convert from directions specified in the meteorological convection (direction the wind is moving from) use
wind_ang = 270 - wind_ang.
To convert from directions specified in the oceanographic convection (direction the wind is moving to) use
wind_ang = 90 - wind_ang.
Last update: November 2, 1998