Source/sensor: SeaWinds on ADEOS-II

Coverage: 10 April 2003 to 24 October 2003, global

Abstract:
The SeaWinds on ADEOS-II Level 2B data set consists of wind vector solutions for all four wind vector ambiguities as well as the Direction Interval Retrieval with Threshold Nudging (DIRTH) wind vector solution. Each Level 2B file contains data for one full orbital revolution of the spacecraft or 'rev'. These data are grouped by rows of 25km wind vector cells (WVC). Each row contains a total of 76 WVC values and corresponds to a single cross-track cut of the SeaWinds swath. 1624 wind vector cell rows are required to complete a rev. Data are currently available in Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) and exist from 19 July 1999 to present.

The Level 2B data are derived from ADEOS-II Level 2A sigma-0 measurements. When rain is present, the measurements of the ocean surface sigma-0 are affected in several ways. The radar signal may be scattered by the raindrops and never reach the ocean's surface. The radar signal may be attenuated by the rain as it travels to and from the earth's surface. The roughness of the sea surface due to the splashing of the raindrops may also affect the sigma-0 measurement and thus the wind vector solution. In an effort to indicate the presence of rain, the Level 2B data include the Multidimensional Histogram Rain Flag SDS (mp_rain_probability) and the Normalized Objective Function Rain Flag SDS (nof_rain_index). In addition, wvc_quality_flag bit 13 indicates whether or not the rain flag algorithm indicates rain.

These data are available via anonymous FTP to podaac.jpl.nasa.gov in the pub/ocean_wind/seawinds/L2B directory. These data are also available via aspera (HVDT) http://aspera.jpl.nasa.gov/download/pub/ocean_wind/seawinds/L2B. Documentation, read software, and further information may also be obtained from the PO.DAAC SeaWinds Web site.

Data Set Volume: One file is approximately 2MB compressed

Smallest order: One file via FTP

Standard Product: FTP

Data Format: HDF

Media Format: These data are available via PO.DAAC's FTP or aspera tools.