A high-resolution QuikSCAT based global ocean upwelling index: The first stage of a new series of satellite ocean processes products from NOAA/NESDIS/ORA

The Ocean Winds Team at the Office of Research and Applications at NOAA/NESDIS has provided near real-time QuikSCAT ocean surface wind vector products since shortly after its launch in 1999. A natural extension to this is the creation of a next tier product series that exploits dynamics derived from these data and other satellite products for the examination and monitoring of complex oceanographic processes, with the further goal of providing this information to users and clients through a regular operational platform.

The first stage of this product series is presented in the form of a new global upwelling index product based on the NOAA high-resolution QuikSCAT vector winds. This product is based on a four-day mean calculation of ocean surface wind stress and wind stress curl as determined from QuikSCAT measurements. The upwelling product is evaluated with regard to several regions of interest, most notably along the western coasts of North and South America. Particular attention is given to the validation issues surrounding such a derived and complex product. Additionally, applications and future work are discussed as they pertain to domestic and international fisheries and global climate change. Future development of ocean processes products are also discussed, particularly with regard to the incorporation of other operational data streams.