Ocean Surface Winds Derived from the SeaWinds Scatterometer

This page includes PREVIOUS DAY'S DATA. For current data, click here

The following map displays the ocean surface winds at a 10m height from yesterday's satellite passes as processed by NOAA/NESDIS, from near real-time data collected by NASA/JPL's SeaWinds Scatterometer aboard the QuikSCAT. For additional information about SeaWinds or QuikSCAT, please visit JPL's Scatterometer web site. The current empirically derived model function being used by to relate normalized radar cross-section with wind speed and direction is referred to as QSCAT1. The map below has been divided into 30x20 degree bins for closer examination between latitudes 80N to 80S and longitudes 180W to 180E. Just click on the desired geographical location and hopefully a closer look will be provided. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

Please Note: While these wind data are obtained from the operational data stream available at NOAA/NESDIS, this web site is not maintained with 24x7 support.

The Multidimensiona l Histogram (MUDH) rain flag is being used at this time.


The wind vector retrievals thought to be rain contaminated are colored in black. While not perfect, the MUDH rain flag appears to mark many of the suspect vectors in regions of probable precipitation, epecially in the tropical latitudes.
Rain can contaminate the wind retrievals, especially in situations with moderate to heavy rain rates.

Ascending Pass

Descending Pass

Available archive images: (2003260--2008240)

PAUL CHANG
NOAA/NESDIS/ORA
Email: paul.s.chang@noaa.gov