The development and application of a sea surface stress model function for the QuickSCAT and ADEOS-II sea winds scatterometers

A prototype of new geophysical model function is developed: it derives sea surface stress from the backscatter of an active microwave sensor (SeaWinds). The results are compared to values derived with a common drag coefficient, and to values derived from a state of the art surface flux model, which has been validated over a wide range of wind and wave conditions. The new model function determines friction velocity, which is the square root of the kinematic stress. The friction velocities appear to be underestimated for typical open ocean values, but appear to be excellent for stronger winds.