Long-Term and Event-Based Evaluation of QuikSCAT and COAMPS Model Vector Wind Products with Ocean Buoy Data for the Gulf of Mexico

HR: 1400h
AN: OS23E-03 [Abstracts]
TI: Long-Term and Event-Based Evaluation of QuikSCAT and COAMPS Model Vector Wind Products with Ocean Buoy Data for the Gulf of Mexico
AU: Sharma, N
EM: nsharm3@lsu.edu
AF: Louisiana State University, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Coastal Studies Institute Howe-Russell Geoscience, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
AU: * D'Sa, E
EM: ejdsa@lsu.edu
AF: Louisiana State University, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Coastal Studies Institute Howe-Russell Geoscience, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States
AU: Ko, D S
EM: ko@nrlssc.navy.mil
AF: Naval Research Laboratory, Code 7322, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529, United States
AB: Wind measurements obtained in 2005 and 2006 from the QuikSCAT/SeaWinds satellite and the COAMPS Central America Regional Model are compared to buoy data operated by the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) at both the nearshore and offshore locations in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Comparisons between buoy wind data and the QuikSCAT Level 3 and Level 2B standard products at 25 and 12.5 km² spatial resolution respectively were made using a minimum distance of 0.1° and a maximum time difference of 20 min between the two data sets. Preliminary analysis indicates the two datasets to be reasonably well correlated. Data from the COAMPS regional model at spatial resolution of 0.2°, will also be similarly evaluated. The time period being considered includes the energetic season of 2005 during which Hurricanes Katrina and Rita occurred, providing an evaluation of model and satellite data performance during extreme events. The limitations of QuikSCAT wind data for light (<3m/s) and very strong winds (>20m/s) will be assessed for the study region. Rain contamination can also affect data adversely, however, for the time period considered in this study, the effect of rain does not show a noticeable change in correlation between the datasets. This study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the most commonly used wind measurement methods and their reliability for coastal regions.
DE: 3333 Model calibration (1846)
DE: 3360 Remote sensing
DE: 4217 Coastal processes
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly