QuikSCAT SeaWinds Derived Ocean Surface Winds Overview

QuikSCAT SeaWinds ocean surface winds depict wind velocities at an elevation of 10m. The global map browse product is divided into 30x20 degree bins for closer examination between latitudes 80N to 80S and longitudes 180W to 180E. The strictest rain flag has been used to yield wind speeds within 2m/s.

SeaWinds
Wind Speed Height:	10 m
Source Data:	MGDR 'Lite'
Wind Derivation Method:	QSCAT1 Multi-algorithm, MUDH Rain Flags
Product Frequency:	Every 4 hours
Accuracy:	+/- 2 m/s 20 degrees
Spatial Resolution:	25km
Format:	PNG, TIF, ESRI Shapefiles
Geographic Coverage:	80N to 80S 180W to 180E

Usage Caveats:

• Presented wind speed and direction values should not be considered absolute
• In storms with high wind gradients, the wind speed values will be underestimated
• Rain flags in use will not necessarily detect all precipitation events
• Data buffer is 22 hours prior to the most recent update time.

Products are updated at 03:00, 06:00, 09:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 21:00 and 24:00 GMT.