Ocean surface wind retrieval from stationary and moving platform marine radar data

Abstract

In this paper we evaluate different methods to retrieve wind information from marine radar data. In contrast to traditional in-situ sensors, marine radar wind data cover a large area and therefore are much less susceptible to air flow distortion by the platform. Unlike previous studies that have been limited to fixed-platform data, this study includes data from a quasi-stationary and moving platform. Images collected with a standard marine HH-polarized X-band radar operating at grazing incidence angle exhibit a single intensity peak in the upwind direction. Marine radar images that are averaged over about 1 min may also show wind streaks, which are usually well-aligned with the mean surface wind direction. Here, we use both phenomena to retrieve wind directional information and compare results to determine the best approach under the given conditions. To retrieve wind speeds, an empirical model function which relates average backscatter intensity to wind speed is developed.