Wind Direction Estimates from Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery of the Sea Surface
Abstract
The SAR-signatures of synoptic-scale cold fronts, warm fronts, occluded fronts, and secluded fronts, including their mesoscale and microscale sub-structures have been documented. The basis for these findings is the analysis of some 6000 RADARSAT-1 SAR images from the Gulf of Alaska and from off the east coast of North America. This analysis yielded 158 cases of well defined frontal signatures: 22 warm fronts, 37 cold fronts, 3 stationary fronts, 32 occluded fronts, and 64 secluded fronts. Most synoptic-scale atmospheric fronts share two generic SAR-observable features. The first is a near zero order change in the mean backscatter while the second is a near zero-order change in the character of the micro-alpha to meso-gamma-scale eddy SAR signatures. Cold front-specific SAR signatures include meso-gamma-scale lobe and cleft instability, meso-gamma-scale vortices, meso-gamma-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, and convective signatures to the immediate rear of the cold front. Warm and occluded front-specific SAR signatures include pre-frontal jets, meso-beta-scale vortices, and meso-gamma or micro-alpha-scale banding aligned nearly perpendicular to the front associated with gravity waves.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA432157
Entities
People
- George S. Young
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University