Systematic comparison of RADARSAT SAR derived wind speed with buoy measurements

StormWatch represents a prototype system for the automated retrieval of wind speed from SAR imagery. Unlike spaceborne scatterometers or passive microwave measurements, SAR estimates of wind speed can be made at 300 m (or better) resolution right up to the coastline. During the winter of 1998-99, calibrated, wide swath (~500 km) RADARSAT SAR radar cross section images off the east coast of the United States were routinely converted to estimates of wind speed. In addition, sample imagery off the Gulf of Alaska has been processed. Wind speed retrievals were based on the CMODA wind speed algorithm modified for horizontal polarization and initial model wind direction estimates provided by the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center. This paper will outline the steps in this SAR wind retrieval and the manner in which auxiliary data sets are used to aid this retrieval. In addition, they assess the quality of wind speed retrievals by comparing SAR wind speed estimates with coincident buoy measurements