New Method for High Wind Speed Retrieval Using Altimeters Observations

Abstract:

By comparing the normalized radar backscatter cross sections (NRCS) and significant wave height detected by the Jason-1 altimeter with high wind speeds data, an empirical algorithm valid for wind speeds larger than 20 m s^-1 is developed and proposed. The study shows that the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and average relative error of the new algorithm are 5.44m s^-1 and 16.5%, suggesting increased accuracy by including significant wave height in the retrieval algorithm. Therefore, the proposed algorithm, suitable for retrieving sea surface wind speeds in typhoon and other strong wind conditions, could be treated as supplementary algorithm to the Jason-1 operational algorithm.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 742)
• Pages: 123-127
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.742.123
• Online since: March 2015
• Authors: Yan Zhen Gu*, Pei Liang Li, Kai Guo Fan
• Keywords: Altimeter, Angular Momentum Model, High Wind Speed, Wind Retrieval Algorithm

References

[1] Adams, I. S., C. C. Hennon, W.L. Jones, et al., Evaluation of hurricane ocean vector winds from windsat. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 44, 656–667. (2006).

DOI: 10.1109/tgrs.2005.862506

[2] Young I. R., An estimate of the Geosat altimeter wind speed algorithm at high wind speeds. Journal of Geophysical Research, 98(C11), 20275—20285. (1993).

DOI: 10.1029/93jc02117

[3] Witter D. L., Chelton D. B., A Geosat altimeter wind speed algorithm and a method for altimeter wind speed algorithm. Journal of Geophysical Research, 96, 8853-8860. (1991).

DOI: 10.1029/91jc00414

[4] Monaldo, F. and Dobson, E., On using significant wave height and radar cross section to improve radar altimeter measurements of wind speed. Journal of Geophysical Research 94: doi: 10. 1029/89JC01181. issn: 0148-0227. (1989).

DOI: 10.1029/jc094ic09p12699

[5] Gu, Yanzhen , Liu, Yuguang , Xu, Qing , Liu, Yahao , Liu, Xueyuan and Ma, Yujuan, A new wind retrieval algorithm for Jason-1 at high wind speeds, International Journal of Remote Sensing, 32: 5, 1397-1407. (2011).

DOI: 10.1080/01431160903551355

[6] Yin X., Wang Z., Liu Y., et al., Ocean response to Typhoon Ketsana traveling over the northwest Pacific and a numerical model approach. Geophysical Research Letters, 34 L21606, doi: 10. 1029/2007GL031477. (2007).

DOI: 10.1029/2007gl031477

[7] Powell M. D., Evaluations of diagnostic marine boundary layer models applied to hurricanes. Monthly Weather Review, 108, 758-766. (1980).

DOI: 10.1175/1520-0493(1980)108<0757:eodmbl>2.0.co;2

[8] Glazman, R.E. and Greysukh, A., Satellite altimeter measurements of surface wind. Journal of Geophysical Research 98: doi: 10. 1029/92JC02659. issn: 0148-0227. (1993).

DOI: 10.1029/93jc01825

[9] Lefevre J. M., Barckicke J., A significant wave height dependent function for TOPEX/POSEIDON wind speed retrieval. Journal of Geophysical Research, 99, 25035-25049. (1994).

DOI: 10.1029/94jc01958

[10] Gourrion J., Vandemark D., Bailey S., et al., A two-parameter wind speed algorithm for Ku-band altimeters. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 19, 2030-2048. (2002).

DOI: 10.1175/1520-0426(2002)019<2030:atpwsa>2.0.co;2