Dependence of altimeter returns on wind stress and wave age

Much effort has been expended in defining the relationship between wind speed and normalized radar cross section (NRCS). However, wind stress is known to better describe geophysical processes on the ocean surface than wind speed alone. Using a scattering model and an idealized wavenumber sea spectrum, the authors present a wind stress algorithm to interpret altimeter returns. A comparison with measurements from the dual frequency altimeter of TOPEX (Ku and C band) is carried out. Results show that retrieved wind from empirical models is underestimated in presence of young seas such as for on-shore winds near coastal regions.