WindSAT Data Analysis for Cal/Val
Abstract
We investigated the accuracy, capabilities and limitations of surface wind vectors from the first release of WindSAT passive microwave radiometer data using atmospheric boundary layer models and comparisons with NASA QuikSCAT scatterometers winds. Our methods allowed both point by point vector comparisons and integrated, non-local comparisons through derived sea level pressure fields. We found that the preliminary WindSAT winds were surprisingly good and that the combined vector wind and integrated water vapor (CWV) and cloud liquid water (CLW) data would be a valuable product for storms analyses over the ocean if the quality of the wind product could be raised to QuikSCAT levels. For higher winds, WindSAT was comparable to QuikSCAT. In terms of direction, WindSAT vector fields were quite noisy and either got the direction completely wrong or selected the wrong ambiguity about 10% of the time. We found no correlation between the bad vectors and either CLW or CWV. We concluded that incorporating sea-level pressure into the surface wind retrievals has promise as a means to improve the WindSAT model function.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA481178
Entities
People
- Ralph C. Foster
- Robert A. Brown
Organizations
- University of Washington