Validation of QSCAT-1 Geophysical Model Function Using Seawinds Level 2 and Buoy Data

Geophysical model function (GMF) is the basis and prerequisite for the ocean surface wind vector retrieval with scatterometers. Among many operational models, the Qscat-1 model was specifically developed for SeaWinds scatterometer and is being applied to its operational wind retrieval. This paper is to validate the accuracy of the Qscat-1 model by using some SeaWinds Level 2 data and corresponding buoy data. First, a comparison between L2B and co-located buoy wind speed was made to analyze the systematic bias between them, and then a new geophysical model function was established using the match-ups of the L2A and buoy data to further valuate the accuracy of the Qscat-1 model. The analytical and modeling results indicate that there may be some systematic error in the Qscat-1 model.