Two polarization radar imagery of sea surface: the dependence on atmospheric stability

It is shown that the two polarizations of microwave radar signal at low grazing angles sense different scatterers: horizontally polarized signal scatters predominantly from steep waves, while vertically polarized one scatters primarily from free Bragg waves. Ocean radar images being sensitive to surface wind fluctuations may be treated as an indicator of atmospheric boundary layer conditions. Radar images of surface imprints of atmospheric patterns near a coastal mountain ridge are considered. In this case the stratification of atmospheric boundary layer near sea surface plays the major role in the formation of lee structures downwind the ridge.