Jason-1 QuikScat Principal Investigator Gary Lagerloef Earth and Space Research, Seattle NOAA/NESDIS Pilot Project: An Operational Data Center for Satellite-Derived Surface Currents in the Tropical Pacific National Oceanographic Partnerships Program (NOPP) A Presentation for the Regional Workshop Potential Applications of Ocean Observations for the Pacific Islands Fiji, 4-7 October 2002

Jason-1 QuikScat An Example of Recent Data; Spatially Smooth Field for Early September 2002

Jason-1 QuikScat The Project Organization Jason-1 Altimeter IGDR data Jason-1 Altimeter IGDR data University of South Florida Gary Mitchum IGDR Processing to Gridded Surface Topography University of South Florida Gary Mitchum IGDR Processing to Gridded Surface Topography Real Time QuikScat/SeaWinds Vector wind data Real Time QuikScat/SeaWinds Vector wind data Florida State University Mark Bourassa Daily Gridded Vector Winds Florida State University Mark Bourassa Daily Gridded Vector Winds Earth & Space Research Gary Lagerloef Principal Investigator Surface Current Vectors Ground Calibration and Error Analysis Earth & Space Research Gary Lagerloef Principal Investigator Surface Current Vectors Ground Calibration and Error Analysis NOAA/NESDIS Program Manager Bob Cheney NOAA/NESDIS Program Manager Bob Cheney Fabrice Bonjean (ESR) Surface current model development; John Gunn (ESR) Data system; Eric Johnson (ESR) Error analysis; Nancy Soreide (NOAA/PMEL) WWW Site Development; Laury Miller (NOAA/NESDIS) ENSO monitoring; Yan Xue (NOAANCEP) ENSO monitoring; Vern Kousky (NOAA/NCEP) ENSO monitoring; Richard Legeckis (NOAA/NESDIS) Instability waves; Jeff Polovina (NOAA/NMFS) Fisheries; Gregg Jacobs (NRL) Navy model assimilation comparisons; Fabrice Bonjean (ESR) Surface current model development; John Gunn (ESR) Data system; Eric Johnson (ESR) Error analysis; Nancy Soreide (NOAA/PMEL) WWW Site Development; Laury Miller (NOAA/NESDIS) ENSO monitoring; Yan Xue (NOAANCEP) ENSO monitoring; Vern Kousky (NOAA/NCEP) ENSO monitoring; Richard Legeckis (NOAA/NESDIS) Instability waves; Jeff Polovina (NOAA/NMFS) Fisheries; Gregg Jacobs (NRL) Navy model assimilation comparisons;

Jason-1 QuikScat A Dynamic Model 1 uses Satellite Sea Level and Vector Wind Measurements to Compute Tropical Surface Currents on and off the Equator Jason-1 Altimeter sea level deviations (These are added to the mean Levitus dynamic height, which is not shown here). QuikScat Scatterometer vector wind Model current averaged over the top 30 m. (July 2002) 1 Bonjean, F., and G.S.E. Lagerloef, 2002: Diagnostic model and analysis of the surface currents in the tropical Pacific Ocean, Journal of Physical Oceanography, 32,

Jason-1 QuikScat The Currents are Validated with Drifter Data Data comparison East-west equatorial current: Mean difference = 10 cm/s (0.2 Kt) RMS difference = 25 cm/s (0.5 Kt) Correlation = 0.82 Data comparison East-west equatorial current: Mean difference = 10 cm/s (0.2 Kt) RMS difference = 25 cm/s (0.5 Kt) Correlation = 0.82

Jason-1 QuikScat A Primary Application is Monitoring the Progress of El Niño – La Niña Monthly mean and anomaly maps like this have appeared since January 2001 in the NOAA Climate Diagnostics Bulletin. This recent example (August 2002) shows strong eastward anomalies that usually coincide with El Niño. (Anomalies are the difference between the monthly current and the seasonal mean.) Monthly mean and anomaly maps like this have appeared since January 2001 in the NOAA Climate Diagnostics Bulletin. This recent example (August 2002) shows strong eastward anomalies that usually coincide with El Niño. (Anomalies are the difference between the monthly current and the seasonal mean.)

Jason-1 QuikScat The Present El Niño Flow is Intensifying The sequence from July, August and early September is shown with the current anomalies on top of SST anomalies. The eastward flow has grown steadily in the western half of the equatorial Pacific. (Vectors are horizontally smoothed to remove eddies). The sequence from July, August and early September is shown with the current anomalies on top of SST anomalies. The eastward flow has grown steadily in the western half of the equatorial Pacific. (Vectors are horizontally smoothed to remove eddies).

Jason-1 QuikScat Internet Access is Now Online Home Page Home Page The most recent 10-day average data are displayed on the home page. The most recent 10-day average data are displayed on the home page. The data are updated 3 times per month, within 10 days of satellite observations.

Jason-1 QuikScat Click on Data Display The Data Display link will give you various options to plot surface current maps in any sub-area of the tropical Pacific between latitudes 35 o N and 35 o S. The web site is presently being developed and tested. We welcome your comments for improving the latest online version. The Data Display link will give you various options to plot surface current maps in any sub-area of the tropical Pacific between latitudes 35 o N and 35 o S. The web site is presently being developed and tested. We welcome your comments for improving the latest online version.

Jason-1 QuikScat Choose Display Options Vector or scalar options Date (1993-present) Use mouse to select box Or Enter Latitude/Longitude range Select spatial filter, color, scaling, and plot density Click “Generate Plot” Vector or scalar options Date (1993-present) Use mouse to select box Or Enter Latitude/Longitude range Select spatial filter, color, scaling, and plot density Click “Generate Plot”

Jason-1 QuikScat Sample for the SW Equatorial Pacific Top image is the 10-day mean for 6 Sep Bottom is the anomaly from seasonal mean. This is unfiltered to better show eddies and current features (no horizontal averaging). 1 o x1 o maximum resolution The strongest currents are on the equator. Top image is the 10-day mean for 6 Sep Bottom is the anomaly from seasonal mean. This is unfiltered to better show eddies and current features (no horizontal averaging). 1 o x1 o maximum resolution The strongest currents are on the equator. Fiji

Jason-1 QuikScat A Closer View Around Fiji This close-up near Fiji is recent data for early September Colors represent current speed. Vectors indicate speed and direction. Note: The accuracy of the data and vector plots is still being evaluated, and caution is advised. This close-up near Fiji is recent data for early September Colors represent current speed. Vectors indicate speed and direction. Note: The accuracy of the data and vector plots is still being evaluated, and caution is advised.

Jason-1 QuikScat Topics for Discussion 1.How would you use the surface current data? Shipping? Search and Rescue? Research? Fishing? Pollution monitoring? 2.How can we improve the presentation and delivery of this information? 3.Other suggestions and comments for OSCAR. You can use the web site to your comments to 1.How would you use the surface current data? Shipping? Search and Rescue? Research? Fishing? Pollution monitoring? 2.How can we improve the presentation and delivery of this information? 3.Other suggestions and comments for OSCAR. You can use the web site to your comments to Thank you