Near-surface wind speed retrieval from space-based, multi-angle imaging of ocean sun glint patterns

Abstract

The relationship between the MISR multi-angle observations of sun glint pattern width over ocean and the near-surface wind speed is explored. With this relationship, we develop an algorithm that can constrain the standard, wind-driven glint/white cap model that defines the ocean-surface boundary condition in MISR aerosol retrievals. The key geometric factor determining wind retrieval quality is the angular distance between the reflection vector and the closest MISR multi-angle observation - the minimum Sun Glint Angle (SGA). MISR-retrieved winds are within 2.4 m/s of buoy-measured values for minimum SGA below about 15° for the 38 cases studied, and usually better than 1.1 m/s, except one for..