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L3 Daily Gridded Ocean Wind Vectors
Abstract
References

Product 109


Abstract
ab109

Source/sensor: SeaWinds on QuikSCAT

Coverage: 19 July 1999-present, global

Abstract:
The SeaWinds on QuikSCAT Level 3 data set consists of gridded values of scalar wind speed, meridional and zonal components of wind velocity, wind speed squared and time given in fraction of a day. Rain probability determined using the Multidimensional Histogram (MUDH) Rain Flagging technique is also included as an indicator of wind values which may have degraded accuracy due to the presence of rain. Data are currently available in Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) and exist from 19 July 1999 to present.

The Level 3 data were obtained from the Direction Interval Retrieval with Threshold Nudging (DIRTH) wind vector solutions contained in the QuikSCAT Level 2B data and are provided on an approximately 0.25 x 0.25 degree, global grid. Separate maps are provided for both the ascending pass (6AM LST equator crossing) and descending pass (6PM LST equator crossing). By maintaining the data at nearly the original Level 2B sampling resolution and separating the ascending and descending passes, very little overlap occurs in one day. However, when overlap between subsequent swaths does occur, the values are over-written, not averaged. Therefore, a SeaWinds on QuikSCAT Level 3 file contains only the latest measurement for each day.

These data are available via anonymous FTP to podaac.jpl.nasa.gov in the pub/ocean_wind/quikscat/L3 directory. Documentation, read software, and further information may also be obtained from the PO.DAAC QuikSCAT Web site.

In addition to the above mentioned Level 3 Product which was created by the SeaWinds on QuikSCAT Project, several additional Level 3 products have been produced by members of the SeaWinds on QuikSCAT Science Working Team. Many of these products provide the QuikSCAT data on coarser grids (0.5 degree or 1 degree), at smaller time intervals (6 or 12 hour maps) and use advanced interpolation techniques to fill gaps in the wind fields. A list of the publicly available QuikSCAT Level 3 products produced by SeaWinds on QuikSCAT Science Working Team members can be found on the PO.DAAC SeaWinds on QuikSCAT web site, podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/quikscat/qscat_links.html.

Data Set Volume: One file is approximately 6MB compressed.

Smallest order: One file via FTP.

Standard Product: FTP

Data Format: HDF

Media Format: These data are available via FTP to podaac.jpl.nasa.gov.


References
ci109

References:

  • Dunbar, R.S., S.V. Hsiao, and B.H. Lambrigtsen, Science Algorithm Specifications for the NASA Scatterometer Project, JPL D-5610 (597-521), Vol. 1 (Sensor Algorithms) and Vol. 2 (Geophysical Algorithms). Issued May 1988, last updated November 1991.
  • Freilich, M.H., and R.S. Dunbar, "A Preliminary C-Band Scatterometer Model Function for the ERS-1 AMI Instrument," Proceedings of the First ERS-1 Symposium: Space at the Service of our Environment, Cannes, 4-6 November 1992, ESA SP-359, European Space Agency, Paris.
  • Naderi, F.M., M.H. Freilich, and D.G. Long, "Spaceborne Radar Measurement of Wind Velocity Over the Ocean - An Overview of the NSCAT Scatterometer System," Proc. IEEE, 79, 6, June 1991.
  • Shaffer, S., R.S. Dunbar, S.V. Hsiao, and D.G. Long, "A Median-Filter-Based Ambiguity Removal Algorithm for NSCAT," IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., 29, 1991.
  • Tsai, W., J.E. Graf, C. Winn, J.N. Huddleston, R.S. Dunbar, M.H. Freilich, F.J. Wentz, D.G. Long, and W.L. Jones, "Postlaunch Sensor Verification and Calibration of the NASA Scatterometer," IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., vol. 37, pp. 1517-1542, May 1999.
  • Weiss, B., "Level 1B Data Software Interface Specification (SIS-2)", Internal JPL SeaWinds Project Document 686-644-1 Rev A, JPL Document D-16077, January 2000.
  • Weiss, B., "Level 2A Data Software Interface Specification (SIS-2)", Internal JPL SeaWinds Project Document 686-644-2 Rev A, JPL Document D-16078, April 2000.
  • Weiss, B., "Level 2B Data Software Interface Specification (SIS-2)", Internal JPL SeaWinds Project Document 686-644-3 Rev B, JPL Document D-16079, April 2000.
  • Wentz, F.J., "Climatology of 14 GHz Atmospheric Attenuation," Remote Sensing Systems Tech. Memo 052096, May 1996.
  • Zhang, A., R.S. Dunbar, S.V. Hsiao, K. Pak, Y. Kim, "Science Algorithm Specifications for SeaWinds," Internal JPL SeaWinds project document, 1996, 1999.
Collections:
  • "NSCAT: Scientific Applications," American Geophysical Union collection of NSCAT papers reprinted from J. Geophys. Res., Geophys. Res. Letters, Eos, Transactions, AGU, 1999.
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