The sensible heat flux, qc (or the heat flux due to convection) depends on the type of boundary layer between the sea surface and the atmosphere. Generally this boundary layer is turbulent implying the following relationship
(6.15)
where
rair is the air density, 1.3 kg/m3
Cair is the specific heat of air, 1007 J/kg · ºK
Cw is the specific heat of water, 4186 J/kg · ºK
W10m is the wind speed 10 m above the sea surface
Tw is the absolute temperature of the sea
Tair is the absolute temperature of the air
Cc is the sensible transfer coefficient, given as 1.41 · 10-3
The convective heat flux typically varies between 0 – 100 W/m2.
