High-Velocity Wind Measurements Using Synthetic Aperture Radar

The change in accuracy of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) near-surface wind measurements as a function of increasing wind speed is assessed by matching satellite SAR measurements with wintertime buoy measurements in the Bering Sea. For wind speeds less than 15 m/s, SAR-buoy wind speed comparisons show biases less than 1 m/s with standard deviations less than 2.5 m/s. For wind speeds from 15 to 25 m/s, SAR wind measurements have a positive bias above 2 m/s and somewhat more scatter when compared to buoy winds. For winds larger than 25 m/s, the accuracy of SAR winds is not well known. Very few buoy matches are available. Comparisons of SAR winds with hurricane model winds and aircraft measurements are still in a preliminary stage, but indicate that improved algorithms are needed.