Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) Signatures

SSM/I ocean surface wind speed analysis is a powerful tool for gale force wind validation. The data interprets wave patterns over open-water regions of the world and converts them to 19.5 meter height wind speeds. These analyzed winds have accuracies of 2ms^-1(Goodberlet et al., 1989).

The image above depicts gale force wind events (red regions) which occurred on 05 February 1996 for several MEDEX wind types. Land masses are in black and missing data are in gray. Missing data can occur due to noncoverage, moderate to heavy precipitation, or land contamination. (Note: The SSM/I examples provided for each of the winds below are presented in the standard display with a white background only.) Gale-force winds (>17ms^-1) are within the red spectrum as noted above the color grid in the upper right corner of the display. Signatures of gale force wind events are available for each of the seven MEDEX wind types:

SSM/I: Bora Adriatic Sea, SSM/I: Bora Aegean Sea, SSM/I: Etesian, SSM/I: Levante, SSM/I: Mistral, SSM/I: Sirocco, SSM/I: Westerly

SSM/I ocean surface wind speed products can be obtained from NESDIS

Gooderlet, M.A., Swift, C.T. & Wilkerson, J.C. (1989). Remote sensing of ocean surface winds with the special sensor microwave/imager. Journal of Geophysical Research, 94, 14547-14555.