Evaluating and Extending the Ocean Wind Climate Data Record

Satellite sensors have been systematically measuring near-surface ocean winds for nearly 30 years, establishing an important legacy in studying and monitoring weather and climate variability. These wind measurements come from 18 passive microwave radiometers, which only provide wind speed, and 10 active microwave scatterometers, which provide both speed and direction. These 28 sensors taken together and properly intercalibrated provide a highly accurate depiction of oceanic winds over the last 3 decades. This report provides a plan for evaluating the existing ocean wind climate data record (OW-CDR) and extending this record into the future.