Daily gridded QuikSCAT (ascending and descending passes) sea surface wind
The microwave scaterometer (QuikSCAT) flown on QuikBird satellite measures back scatter radiation in
Ku-band (~ 14 GHz). The return signal power is proportional to surface stress over the ocean and that can be related to surface
wind vector (u and v components) at 10 m height assuming neutral stratification.
The daily data consist of two passes a day, ascending and descending pass. In addition to wind vector data, times (minutes of UTC)
of measurements are provided. The data are remapped to 1/4 degree lat/lon map for ascending and descending passes.
Original data as processed by Remote Sensing System were obtained from www.ssmi.com site. If you use the data please cite:
"QuikScat data are produced by Remote Sensing Systems and sponsored by the NASA Ocean Vector Winds Science Team. Data are
available at www.remss.com."
| Variables | time (UT minute), u-wind at 10 m (m/s), v-wind at 10 m (m/s) |
| Zonal | Global by 0.25 deg |
| Meridional | Global by 0.25 deg |
| Vertical | |
| Temporal | Jul 1999 to Oct 2009 by 1 day(s) |
| Static? | yes |
| Volume | 87 Gb |
| Server | public: ![]() |
| Source | http://www.ssmi.com/qscat/qscat_description.html |
| Acquired | Nov 2, 2009 |
| APDRC contact | |
| Supplements |