Search

C-band scatterometer winds have been adjusted for extreme conditions and in this research extension to Ku-band scatterometers is investigated. With rain rates from the Global Precipitation Measurement mission collocated to the Ku-band scatterometer observations to identify and exclude rain contamination of winds, calibration of the Ku-band observations can be done. Using high-wind cases extracted from collocated C- and Ku-band observations, we develop a calibration model and extend the Ku-band winds to 35 m/s. Validation is obtained from the set not included in the model derivation, indicating a speed error less than 10% for wind speed larger than 30m/s. The modified speed is consistent with the Step Frequency Microwave Radiometer measurements, when collocated with another Ku-band scatterometer. A comparison for the Tropical Cyclone Manyi in 2018 shows the adjustedd wind fits better with the best-track information provided by the Chinese Meteorological Administration, while more details are revealed. Results can be improved after obtaining more collocations with the dual-frequency scatterometer "WindRad" onboard the FY-3E satellite. A method for wind direction enhancement in extreme conditions is also discussed

Accurate high and extreme sea surface wind observations are essential for meteorological, ocean, and climate applications. A method to inter-calibrate spaceborne scatterometer and radiometer derived high and extreme winds using NOAA hurricane “hunter” data is presented. The proposed method is effective, providing highly consistent satellite-derived extreme wind datasets in the period 2009-2020. Further work is needed though to consolidate an in-situ reference for extreme wind calibration purposes

A prerequisite for a successful development of the multi-mission wind (MMW) product is to ensure good inter-calibration of the different extreme wind datasets to be integrated in the product. Since the operational hurricane community is working with the in-situ dropsondes as wind speed reference, which are in turn used to calibrate the NOAA Hurricane Hunter Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) wind data (Uhlhorn et al., 2007), MAXSS uses the latter to ensure inter-calibration among the Tier-1 medium-resolution swath-based scatterometer and radiometer systems described in Section 2.2 and listed in Tables 1 and 2 of [MAXSS Team, 2021]. In short, these are: the Advanced Scatterometers onboard the Metop series (i.e., ASCAT-A, -B, and -C), the scatterometers onboard Oceansat-2 (OSCAT) and ScatSat- 1 (OSCAT-2), and onboard the HY-2 series (HSCAT-A, -B); the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 onboard GCOM-W1(AMSR-2), the multi-frequency polarimetric radiometer (Windsat), and the L-band radiometers onboard the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) missions. [...]

[EN] This proves to be a question that is difficult to answer, but has far-reaching consequences for satellite meteorology, weather forecasting, oceanography, climate and hurricane advisories. Hurricanes are among the deadliest of the existing natural disasters, moreover causing formidable economic losses (Bevere et al. 2020). Accurate, short- and medium-range forecasting of their intensity and track (among others) are therefore essential to mitigate human and economic losses. In the longer range, it is also important to understand whether extreme weather conditions are becoming more extreme in a changing climate, stirring deeper waters in the ocean and hence affecting climate system dynamics. Unfortunately, tropical circulation conditions, such as El Niño and the Madden Julian Oscillation, are associated with large year-to-year variability in extreme wind speed distribution and their link to climate change is poorly understood, limiting our ability to determine whether the hurricane climatology is actually changing or not. […], [ES] Esta es una pregunta difícil de responder, pero que tiene consecuencias de gran alcance para la meteorología satelital, la previsión meteorológica, la oceanografía, el clima y los programas de aviso de huracanes. Los huracanes se encuentran entre los desastres naturales más mortíferos y, además, causan enormes pérdidas económicas (Bevere et al. 2020). Por lo tanto, una predicción precisa de su intensidad y trayectoria a corto y medio plazo son esenciales para mitigar las pérdidas humanas y económicas. A más largo plazo, también es importante comprender si las condiciones meteorológicas extremas se están volviendo más extremas en el contexto del cambio climático, llegando a perturbar aguas más profundas y, por lo tanto, afectando la dinámica del sistema climático entero. Desafortunadamente, fenómenos como El Niño y la Oscilación de Madden-Julian, están asociados a una gran variabilidad interanual en la distribución de la intensidad de vientos extremos, con una dependencia del cambio climático todavía poco clara, limitando así nuestra capacidad para determinar si la climatología de huracanes en realidad está cambiando o no. […], [CAT] Aquesta és una pregunta difícil de respondre, però que té conseqüències de gran abast per a la meteorologia satel·litària, la previsió meteorològica, l’oceanografia, el clima i els programes d’avís d’huracans. Els huracans es troben entre els desastres naturals més mortífers i, a més, causen enormes pèrdues econòmiques (Bevere et al. 2020). Per tant, una predicció precisa de la seva intensitat i trajectòria a curt i mitjà termini són essencials per a mitigar les pèrdues humanes i econòmiques. A més llarg termini, també és important comprendre si les condicions meteorològiques extremes s’estan tornant més extremes en el context del canvi climàtic, arribant a pertorbar aigües més profundes i, per tant, afectant la dinàmica del sistema climàtic sencer. Desafortunadament, fenòmens com El Niño i l’Oscil·lació de Madden-Julian estan associats a una gran variabilitat interanual en la distribució de la intensitat de vents extrems, amb una dependència del canvi climàtic encara poc clara, limitant així la nostra capacitat per a determinar si la climatologia d’huracans en realitat està canviant o no. […]

Can satellite data be used to address challenges currently faced by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector? What benefit can satellite observations bring to resource assessment and maintenance of ORE farms? Can satellite observations be used to assess the environmental impact of offshore renewables leading towards a more sustainable ORE sector? This review paper faces these questions presenting a holistic view of the current interactions between satellite and ORE sectors, and future needs to make this partnership grow. The aim of the work is to start the conversation between these sectors by establishing a common ground. We present offshore needs and satellite technology limitations, as well as potential opportunities and areas of growth. To better understand this, the reader is guided through the history, current developments, challenges and future of offshore wind, tidal and wave energy technologies. Then, an overview on satellite observations for ocean applications is given, covering types of instruments and how they are used to provide different metocean variables, satellite performance, and data processing and integration. Past, present and future satellite missions are also discussed. Finally, the paper focuses on innovation opportunities and the potential of synergies between the ORE and satellite sectors. Specifically, we pay attention to improvements that satellite observations could bring to standard measurement techniques: assessing uncertainty, wind, tidal and wave conditions forecast, as well as environmental monitoring from space. Satellite–enabled measurement of ocean physical processes and applications for fisheries, mammals and birds, and habitat change, are also discussed in depth