Impact of fetch conditions on altimeter wind and wave measurements

Abstract
Sea surface wind speed and significant wave height (SWH) are estimated from radar altimeter measurement. The methods were established for open ocean sea state and wind conditions. In fetch limited conditions some assumptions are no longer valid. The authors analyze in situ and TOPEX altimeter measurements in the Black Sea and in the Mediterranean Sea, characterized by short fetch and young seas. In such conditions, the altimeter SWH accuracy is found within the specifications, but the wind speed is underestimated.

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