windsea
Windsea is a term used in physical oceanography and maritime meteorology to describe the portion of the ocean surface wave field generated locally by wind action. It is distinguished from swell, the longer-period waves that have traveled beyond their generation area and may include energy from distant winds.
Generation and characteristics: Windsea waves arise when winds blow over water for a sufficient duration and
Measurement and usage: In spectral wave analyses, the sea state is partitioned into windsea and swell components.
Terminology: Some authors use windsea and wind sea interchangeably; others reserve windsea for the locally generated