In the present study, the sea surface winds derived from SSM/I aboard DMSP Satellite are compared with the initial wind analysis of the NWP model during the onset phase of Indian summer monsoon 1996. The model adopted is NCEP/NCMRWF global spectral model and the daily SSM/I sea surface winds produced by Atlas et al. (1996) are compared. Broad monsoon region covering both the hemispheres are considered for qualitative and quantitative comparison.

The study indicates that in general, there is a difference of 4 mps in the wind speed. However, in certain pockets, the difference is around 6-8 mps. The cross equatorial flow is much stronger in the SSM/I winds. Day-do-day comparative features are described during 1-7 June 1996 along with INSAT visible imageries.