C-Band Cross-Polarization Wind Speed Retrieval

C-band ocean backscatter observations over operational weather buoys using RADARSAT-2 fine quad mode data have resulted in new empirical relationships for the C-band co-polarization ratio and the C-band cross-polarization (cross-pol) ocean backscatter. The cross-pol relationship is independent of incidence angle and wind direction, which simplifies wind speed retrieval from synthetic aperture radar imagery for sufficiently high wind speeds.