Characterizing Coastal Wind Speed and Significant Wave Height Using Satellite Altimetry and Buoy Data

Wind speed and significant wave height are the most relevant metocean variables that support a wide range of engineering economic activities. Their characterization through remote sensing estimations is required to compensate for shortage in situ observations. This study demonstrates value satellite altimetry identify typical spatial patterns wind northeastern region United States. Data from five missions were evaluated against available observations with 10 km sampling radius 30 min time window. An objective analysis collective altimeter dataset was performed create aggregated composite maps height. asynchronous compositing multi-mission data introduced compile sufficient overpasses over area interest. The results this approach allow quantifying summer winter seasons. quality assessed regarding distance coast topography. It found while highly accurate two variables, bias increases near coast. average minimum maximum values detected buoy stations less than 40 not matched by series. method exposes gaps be filled using future missions. challenges coast, especially semi-enclosed areas, implications due land contamination explained. indicate combination multiple provides complementary information resource nearshore coastal regime estimations.