The Kamishak Gap wind as depicted in DMSP OLS and SSM/I data

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Abstract
DMSP visual and infrared Operational Line Scanner (OLS) data reveal several effects of a mountain gap wind generated by wind flow through the Kamishak Gap on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska. The existence of the wind can be inferred through one of three separate effects apparent in the data: (1) a roughened sea effect, appearing as a dark grey shade swath within a sunglint pattern; (2) an anomalous grey shade effect induced by sea spray and aerosols, and, (3) a multiple cloud line effect originating as a result of a moisture flux from the sea to the air in a high speed, cold air, coastal outbreak. The Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) of the DMSP satellite provides another means to detect the Kamishak Gap wind due to the sensitivity of this sensor to changes in microwave emission of the sea surface as a result of sea spray and foam in high wind speed areas and to associated changes in integrated water vapour content (oceanic total precipitable water). Developed algorithms provide a methodology to quantify from a satellite perspective some of the characterisitics of such events.