Validation of ASAR wave mode level 2 product

One month (March 2003) of ASAR wave mode level 2 data are validated using collocated with ECMWF WAM spectra and wind speed data. The geophysical validation of wind and wave parameters shows good agreement in terms of mean wave periods, T^p, T^p₁₂, but the ASAR tends to measure a longer mean swell period (≈0.7s). for the ASAR level 2 significant waveheight, H^s, saturation effects at high sea-states are observed. Less saturation effects observed when considering only waves with periods above 12s, H^p₁₂. Good correlation is also observed for the mean spectral wave direction, Π₁₂, for the long wave part of the spectrum. The saturation in H^s is mostly due to the well-known effect of azimuth roll-off, which increases with increasing wind sea states. Statistics and global maps comparison are also presented, showing the capabilities of ASAR wave mode to provide global coverage of wave spectral parameters.