Error Characterization of Significant Wave Heights in Multidecadal Satellite Altimeter Product, Model Hindcast, and In Situ Measurements Using the Triple Collocation Technique

Ocean wave measurements are of major importance for a number of applications including climate studies, ship routing, marine engineering, safety at sea, and coastal risk management. Depending on the scales and regions of interest, a variety of data sources may be considered (e.g. in situ data, Voluntary Observing Ship observations, altimeter records, numerical wave models), each one with its own characteristics in terms of sampling frequency, spatial coverage, accuracy, and cost. In order to combine multiple source of wave information (e.g. for data assimilation scheme in numerical weather prediction models), the error characteristics of each measurement system need to be defined. In this study, we use the triple-collocation technique to estimate the random error variance of significant wave heights from a comprehensive collection of collocated in situ, altimeter and model data. The in situ dataset is a selection of 122 platforms provided by the Copernicus Marine Service in situ Thematic Center. The altimeter dataset is the ESA Sea State CCI version1 L2P product. The model dataset is the WW3-LOPS hindcast forced with bias-corrected ERA5 winds and an adjusted T475 parameterization of wave generation and dissipation. Compared to previous similar analyses, the extensive (∼250,000 entries) triple collocation dataset generated for this study provides some new insights on the error variability associated to differences in in situ platforms, satellite missions, sea state conditions, and seasonal variability.

Keyword(s)

Sea state, Buoy observations, Satellite observations, Uncertainty, Numerical analysis/modeling

Full Text

FilePagesSizeAccess
Publisher's official version
341 Mo
Supplementary Materials
6158 Ko
How to cite
Dodet Guillaume, Abdalla Saleh, Alday Matias, Accensi Mickael, Bidlot Jean, Ardhuin Fabrice (2022). Error Characterization of Significant Wave Heights in Multidecadal Satellite Altimeter Product, Model Hindcast, and In Situ Measurements Using the Triple Collocation Technique. Journal Of Atmospheric And Oceanic Technology. 39 (7). 887-901. https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-21-0179.1, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00765/87659/

Copy this text