Observational Turbulent Reynolds Stress in the Ocean Surface Boundary Layer and Wind Stress in the northern South China Sea during October 2019

Using high-frequency acoustic instruments installed on an offshore platform, we synchronously measured the winds and oceanic currents near the sea surface. The acquired data were used to compare quantitatively the turbulent Reynolds stress in the ocean surface boundary layer and the wind stress over the sea surface. The observational period extended from 1530 UTC+8 on 12 October 2019 to 1030 UTC+8 on 22 October 2019. The observations were conducted from an observation platform of a marine meteorology tower in the northern South China Sea. This platform, located at 21.44°N, 111.39°E, is approximately 6.5 km from the nearest shore. The mean water depth is approximately 16 m. The platform is anchored by three slanted steel piles rooted under the seafloor, each with diameter of 0.75 m.