Statistical Characteristics of the Global Surface Current Speeds Obtained From Satellite Altimetry and Scatterometer Data

Near-real time ocean surface currents derived from satellite altimeter (JASON-1, GFO, ENVISAT) and scatterometer (QSCAT) data on 1deg times 1deg resolution for world oceans (60deg S to 60deg N) are available online as ldquoOcean Surface Current Analyses-Real Time (OSCAR).rdquo The probability distribution function (PDF) of the current speeds (omega), constructed from global OSCAR data from 1992 to 2008, satisfies the two-parameter Weibull distribution reasonably well, and such a PDF has little seasonal and interannual variations. Knowledge on PDF of omega will improve the ensemble horizontal flux calculation, which contributes to the climate studies.