2.1
High-frequency ocean surface wind vectors provided by SeaWinds in tandem
W. Timothy Liu, JPL, Pasadena, CA; and W. Tang and X. Xie
Because of the lack of vector wind observations, we do not have sufficient knowledge of ocean’s response of high resolution wind forcing. The intense observations of ocean surface winds by spacebased scatterometers in the past decade have confirmed the rich spatial and temporal scales in ocean surface wind fields, and have improved our understanding of their complicated interactions. Tandem QuikSCAT and ADEOS (Advanced Earth Observing System)-II, with SeaWinds scatterometers on both spacecraft, offer unique opportunities to address air-sea interaction problems related to high- frequency winds. The older instrument, abroad QuikSCAT which was launched in 1999 measures around 6 am and 6 pm local time , while the newer ADEOS-2 instrument measures round 10:30 am and 10:30 pm. The tandem mission provides for 60% of global coverage in 6 hours and 90% in 12 hours. An overview of unique impact of such high frequency in conjunctions with observations of other space-based and ground-based measurement will be presented. It will include the monitoring of hurricanes, ocean-atmosphere gas exchanges, tropical convection, and oceanic response to wind forcing.
Session 2, Ocean Observations (Room 618)
Monday, 12 January 2004, 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, Room 618
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