Operational Altimeter Data Processing for Mesoscale Monitoring

TLDR

Since 1996, near‑real‑time mesoscale anomaly maps from TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS‑2 altimeters have been posted online, originally using a quick‑look analysis referenced to a high‑resolution mean sea surface, and recent advances employ more complete altimeter records to derive improved mean sea surfaces. The study updates the mesoscale monitoring system with a new mean surface. The updated system delivers improved mesoscale monitoring compared to the 1996 implementation. Keywords include altimetry, ocean monitoring, mesoscale eddies, mean sea surfaces, and operational oceanography.

Abstract

Abstract Since 1996, global, near-real-time maps of mesoscale anomalies derived from tandem sampling provided by altimeters aboard the TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS-2 satellites have been posted on web pages hosted at the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research. The original, near-real-time processing system was based on a quick-look analysis that referenced the data to a high-resolution gridded mean sea surface available at the time. Recently, state-of-the-art mean sea surfaces have been derived that are based on a more complete record of altimeter observations. An updated mesoscale monitoring system based on a new mean surface is described and shown to provide improved mesoscale monitoring to the successful system implemented in 1996. Keywords: Altimetry Ocean Monitoring Mesoscale Eddies Mean Seasurfaces Operational Oceanography