On a satellite scatterometer as an anemometer

The Seasat-A satellite scatterometer (SASS) wind-algorithm was tested against surface wind fields. Three classes of surface wind fields were used; point measurements, an isotach field over an intensively measured triangle with 200 km sides, and synoptic scale winds determined from pressure and temperature fields and a planetary boundary layer model. These comparisons can verify optimal capabilities of SASS at accuracies of + or - 2 m/s and + or - 20 deg. SASS ability to locate fronts accurately is also established. Complications in nonsteady, highly variable fields indicate problems exist in unqualified application of the SASS algorithm to all conditions.