Utilization of the SEASAT Scatterometer winds for ocean mixed layer modeling

Abstract

A study is made of the feasibility of using SEASAT Scatterometer wind measurement as the surface wind stress forcing for an ocean mixed layer model. Comparisons are made of daily SASS and FNOC winds and the respective mixed layer model results on a 2 degree latitude by 5 degree longitude grid from Jul 15 to August 15, 1978 in the Anomaly Dynamics Study region of the North Pacific Ocean. The direct comparison of the SASS and FNOC wind fields showed good agreement. Cases of reduced pattern correlation between the SASS and FNOC winds appear to result from periods of low percentage coverage by the SASS wind fields and the difference in spatial resolution between the SASS and FNOC winds. The results of the model comparison of the wind fields show the model's high sensitivity to the accuracy of its wind speed boundary condition. Nevertheless, the SASS and FNOC winds gave similar model results, demonstrating the potential of scatterometer wind speed measurements for use with future ocean mixed layer model prediction.