SEASAT Scatterometer Studies of the Role of the Wave Height and Environmental Variables on the Wind Algorithm

New relationships have been found from a sample of the SEASAT-SASS data which were examined for the effects of environmental variables and ocean wave slope on the measured radar cross section at Ku-band and on the SASS derived wind estimates. The subset, taken at a fixed incidence and azimuthal angle, was supported by buoy measurements of wind speed, wave height and air-sea temperature differences. Thus the data could be separated into sets for stable and unstable atmospheric condition. Statistical regression analysis was employed. The radar cross section results for the stable data group displays a dependence on the RMS slope of the long waves as well as the friction, u. The data for the unstable conditions indicates a RCS dependence on the Monin-Obukhov length. This is consistent with previous measurements made in the Gulf of Mexico and a physical model that is under development.