A field-wise wind retrieval algorithm for satellite scatterometers

Traditional satellite scatterometer wind retrieval algorithms consist of point-wise wind estimation and pointwise ambiguity removal. Point-wise estimation yields multiple estimates, or ambiguities, for the average near-surface ocean wind in each scatterometer resolution element, requiring subsequent ambiguity removal. Even though some point-wise ambiguity removal techniques achieve a high skill, they are still subject to error and usually rely on numerical model analysis fields. An alternative to point-wise wind retrieval, one that does not rely on numerical model analysis fields, is field-wise or model-based retrieval. An automated field-wise retrieval algorithm is presented and tested on NSCAT data. Results indicate that field-wise retrieval provides a reliable means of performing wind retrieval without numerical model analysis winds