Ocean Winds and Turbulent Air-Sea Fluxes Inferred From Remote Sensing

Abstract

individual passive instruments and active instruments. Passive instruments measure electromagnetic energy radiated from the water surface at several wavelengths. The radiances at these frequencies are typically linearly combined with the goals of accounting for attenuation and emission in the atmosphere, thereby improving the estimate of the surface value (Goodberlet et al., 1989). More complicated radiative transfer models have also been used for satellite wind speed retrievals (Wentz, 1997). Wind speed is related to differential emission signatures generated by wind-induced effects on surface roughness and white capping. Wind instruments typically measure microwaves, which easily pass through clouds but present some difficulties with accurate retrievals through rain (Draper and Long, 2004; Weissman