We have adapted our model of surface‐generated noise in a stratified lossy ocean to the case of low‐frequency wind‐generated noise produced in deep water by turbulent pressure fluctuations in the atmosphere. The model assumes a random pressure distribution at the surface and includes the effects of sound‐speed profile and bottom characteristics. Using Wilson's source levels [J. H. Wilson, J. Acoust. Soc. Am.66,1499–1507 (1979)] we have calculated the noise level as functions of frequency and depth and compared the results with measured data. We show these results along with calculations of the spatial coherence function, which differs significantly from the standard deep‐water result. Finally, we present calculations of the effective surface area, that is, the area of the surface centered above the receiver which contributes most of the noise intensity. We show that this quantity is dependent on receiver depth.