Ocean Vector Winds, Looking Toward the FutureAimee Fish, NWS Alaska RegionSatellite Surface Vector Winds Requirements WorkshopJune 6, 2006

Service Improvement

When Dr. Paul Chang flies over the Gulf of Alaska… NWP model performance improves

Requirement

Dr. Paul Chang flies over the Gulf of Alaska (and even the Bering Sea) all the time!

But seriously...

World & US Economic Impacts

OilJan-Aug 2005:

878,000 barrels/day

Tankers carry crude from Port of Valdez

Source: Energy Information Administration, US DOE

World & US Economic Impact

1/3 of the total US fishing incomeSource: State of Alaska

World & US Economic Impacts

ShippingThe Great Circle Route

connects North America with Asia

World & US Economic Impacts

Air Cargo in Anchorage70% of all Asia-Europe

95% of all Asia-USSource: Anchorage Chamber of Commerce

Marine and Sea Ice Forecasts

Bering Sea

All NOAA & All Hazards

• Oil and Chemical Spills– Require precise direction and speed

• Support of Fisheries and Subsistence– Sea Ice– Marine forecasts

• Coastal Erosion

Coastal Erosion

• Remotely sensed wind is necessary where ice prohibits buoys

Other Stakeholders

• Search and Rescue– USGC (even pilots use marine fx)– State Agencies

• Vessel Owners/Operators– Monitoring/tracking vessels and

weather conditions

• Insurance Companies

• Petroleum Industry

The Mantra

• Higher Resolution– Spatial– Temporal (more passes)

• Closer to the coast• Particularly key in SE Alaska

Data Quality

• Improve higher and lower wind speed

• Tighten up the directional error

• Rain contamination

GFE Compatible

• Smart Tools– Initialize wind

field

– Nudge to QuickScat

– Initialize surface pressure field

• AK GFE resolution: 3.1 to 6.2 km

Couple SAR and QuickSCAT

• Combine vector capability of QuickScat with resolution of SAR

• Use one to improve the other

“Small Hat” Website Items

• Northern Latitude tilt

• Archive Search– Why Julian

Day?

• Distance Scale on graphics