Perspectives for directional spectra assimilation: Results from a study based on joint assimilation of CFOSAT synthetic wave spectra and observed SAR spectra from Sentinel-1A

With a low cut-off for the directional wave spectra CFOSAT will impact both mixed sea and swell. The complementary use of CFOSAT and SAR wave spectra will enhance the impact of the assimilation and therefore induce a more accurate sea state. The CFOSAT mission is on one hand a big challenge for operational wave forecasting system, and on the other hand a good opportunity for wave modellers in order to improve the source and dissipation terms in the wave model.